I’m going through a boys-are-kinda-sh*tty phase right now, and every phase needs a good soundtrack. These tunes go from woe-is-me to female empowerment, so hopefully by the time you get to the end of the list you’ll be over stupid boy of the week and ready to move on!

“Perfect” Rogue Wave

The lyrics say it all: Everything was perfect ’till you came along. Get out the tissues and wallow.

“When I Was Drinking” Hem

Remember how you never did your homework cause you were too busy fussing over your man? Well, think of all the time you wasted…sad, isn’t it?

“Melt Your Heart” Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins

This one’s a heart-wrencher…just cry it out. Yup, get the ice cream. Keep crying.

“Tears Dry On Their Own” Amy Winehouse

See? You’ve stopped crying, and now you’re starting to be a bit more rational. And upbeat!

“Merry Happy” Kate Nash

Now think about the good times you had with your ex-boy (but don’t dwell too much or you’ll get upset all over again!)

“Since U Been Gone” Kelly Clarkson

The classic. Now is the time to get mad. Consider tearing apart something he left behind.

“Tender” Blur

Now that you’ve got the crazies out of your system, don’t forget that you deserve to be loved–not dicked around!

“Golden” Jill Scott

The ultimate female empowerment jam…ideally you should dance around your bedroom in your underwear. See? You’re over him already.

Being a Literature student and an all around geek when it comes to anything book related, I’ve listened to my fair share of poetry readings; ranging from the well known classics to the new and upcoming talents of today.

The Internet has become my own little bookshop/library, and I often browse pages like fictionpress for creative finds and sometimes even upload my own writing. I love discovering new artists because they give me inspiration to progress with my own creative work.

When it comes to poetry reading and artistic inspiration, Myspace is slowly becoming my new haven. It was only a matter of time before poets joined the ranks of bands everywhere and began recording and uploading their own profiles. I first came across these new artists while browsing Kate Nash’s Myspace music profile (a woman who’s pretty damn cool on her own), and instantly fell in love.

The first one I listened to was Poeticat. I fell in love with her work, her words so accessible and entertaining that I instantly added her as a friend. Listening to an artist recite their own writing brings much more depth into the work itself. Listening to the rhythm, the rhyme and the words reverberating simultaneously out of the speakers is an indescribable experience. The emotions and feelings the poet attempts to deliver through their words becomes easier to understand. Life is breathed into the sentences and they became more than just ink stained writings on paper.

Dockers MC, who I also found on Kate Nash’s profile, has an outstanding grasp of words and rhythm. The way she delivers her poems mimics the fast paced style of MC/rapping, plus, it’s high in drama and humor. Both Poeticat and Dockers MC’s London accent brings a demotic and down-to-earth approach to their art, emphasising a sense of identity between the poet and their work.

Another artist I am obsessing over is George Pringle. I was first introduced to her whilst reading the Independent. She is an Oxford based poet, which shocked me at first because Oxford is my hometown and I had not heard of her before. Her poems are recited over electro-beats, which compliments the whole new-rave indie movement. Unlike Poeticat and Dockers MC, George has a much posher accent, (she is after all an SW10/Oxford lady), but it doesn’t make her any less accessible and instead emphasises a sense of variety.

These are just three artists worth taking a look at — there are loads of others out there just waiting to be found. Just keep your ears open, you’ll never know what you could hear!

Listen to recited poetry? Have any recommendations?

I don’t own a card store. I’ve never dated anyone who’d be pulling diamonds out of his pocket, and it’s always been strange to me that we need certain days to prove we love one another.

Sorry about being a screwup for 364 days, honey. Here’s some chocolates and a bear. Let’s make up.

ANYway, all annoyance aside, I’m aware that there are other opinions about February 14th. Some people love this day. Seriously. Can’t get enough. And other people…?

Well, they use it as an excuse to lie on their bed, stare at the ceiling, eat a box of chocolates all themselves, and go all melancholy about why they have no one.

If you’re one of these, have I got the mix for you.

Below is a list of songs guaranteed to help those tears, and dear god whys?!, flow.

Compromise (be a poet about it) – Edie Carey

Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely – Backstreet Boys

To The Bone – Deb Talan

Bruised – Ben Folds

I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt

I Don’t Blame You – Cat Power

Never is A Promise – Fiona Apple

Mad World – Gary Jules

The Heart of the Matter – India Arie (cover)

Nicest Thing – Kate Nash

Irvine – Kelly Clarkson

Walk By – Meiko

You Just Forgot – Mindy Smith

I Wish I Was the Moon – Neko Case

Someone Else’s Tomorrow – Patty Griffin

Empty – Ray LaMontagne

Going to a Town – Rufus Wainwright

Didn’t We Almost Have it All – Whitney Houston

Forever Blue – Chris Isaak

That’s all I dare put down for now. Don’t want to mess your shit up too badly.

Got any suggestions for this Valentine’s-Day-is-Hell mix? Let us know!

However, there are still some kick ass artists that will get dusty on the shelves, or the webpages if you will, since record stores are as extinct as typewriters, if someone doesn’t bring them into the public eye. Cause come on, we’re all too busy surfing gossip sites and buying Starbucks to search for them ourselves. So, I did the homework….do yourself a favor and look for these radical new femme forces:

1. Santogold- This former A&R executive is the has a dash of the artist M.I.A with slightly a less cracked out beatmaker. Not to mention, she fearlessly pulls of electric blue skinny jeans and leopard print leotards. Anyone who can look hot in neon is icon worthy.

Favorite lyric: “Taint my mind but not my soul,Tell you I got fire, I wont sell it for no payroll“

DOWNLOAD: Les Artists

2. Kate Walsh- The UK does it AGAIN. I swear, The Beatles have set a standard of greatness for UK artists. This is the perfect menstrual cycle music, ya know, weepy, melancholy- perfection.

Favorite lyric: “I don’t know what it is about you, that makes me want to run and jump inside you.”

DOWNLOAD: Tonight

3. Jessie Baylin- Not nearly as morose as Nora Jones, but more a jazzy singer minus all of the heartbreak over a piano and a packet of cigarettes.

Favorite lyric: ” ...Hold me in your arms and love me, mark me up and throw me down…” DOWNLOAD: See How I Run

4. The Broken Hearts- I’m not joking you when I say this pair of DJ’s dress in full, clown, costumes. Like pin-up girls who celebrate Halloween daily. Matching costumes, and circus sideshow performaces–come on, how awesome are circus people?

DOWNLOAD: Blackcat

5. Yael Naim- Nothing is sexier than a remake of “Toxic” by Britney Spears done by a woman with a french accent. It makes toxic the sexiest song alive, Chris Issac “Wicked games” sexy… French women have is so much easier, I’m jealous.

Favorite lyric: “I’m a new soul I came to this strange world hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take”

DOWNLOAD: New Soul

6. Grace Potter and The Nocturnals- The closest thing to being a sexy french woman, is being a sexy BLUES singer. Grace Potter not only commands the stage like Janis Joplin, she then tears her heart open with the most beautiful, heartbreaking ballads. Heart in one hand, a shot of whiskey in the other.

Favorite lyric: “Come on, come on….treat me right all the time, squeeze me like a key lime.”

DOWNLOAD: Apologies

7. Peggysue and The Pirates- Honest, in your face lyrics, rhyming thrown in the trash, so they can use words like “super-duper” and wanker in their songs, landed them an opening gig for kindred spirit Kate Nash. Quirky, brave voices….these chicks are definitely on our side ladies, support them.

Favorite lyric: “What can there be to be so sad about, when you’re so good at flying??”

DOWNLOAD: Superman

8. Leona Lewis- For all of your pop-tarts out there, this is for you. Leona is winner of Simon Cowells UK version of American Idol, The X Factor. Beautiful, ridiculously perfect hair, and…an incredible voice. If Simon Cowell has anything to do with it…she will be madly successful.

DOWNLOAD: Better in Time- remix

9. Jaymay- Folk chicks seriously need to get more attention. Especially Jaymay. Plus, it’s fun to say her name. Break up songs, coffee drinking songs, morning after songs….the whole album Autumn Fallin’ is….SUPERB.

Favorite lyric: “I couldn’t stop staring at your lips without wondering how they tasted.”

DOWNLOAD: Gray or Blue

10. Ingrid Michaelson- Greys Anatomy can officially take credit for noticing another talented artist and so can Old Navy, congrats on the residual checks you’ll be receiving Ingrid!! Her voice is vulnerable, her lyrics are conversational, and her second album is sensational.

Favorite Lyric: “Have you ever thought about what protects our hearts? Just a cage of rib bones and other various parts.“

DOWNLOAD: Morning Lullabies

GO! DOWNLOAD NOW! Legally of course

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Kate Nash seems to be everywhere these days! Haven’t heard of her? Check out “Pumpkin Soup” and if you like what you hear, get it here!