Music has the power to change things. Hearing your favorite songs can instantly uplift your spirits. There is something magical about seeing your favorite bands with a group of strangers who love them as much as you do. But did you know that there is science behind the magic?
It’s been proven that music helps reduce cravings by lowering anxiety, decreasing depression, and providing healthy cognitive distraction and a safe space to process complex emotions. Listening to and creating music stimulates the brain’s reward system—encouraging a natural, non-drug-induced release of dopamine. All fantastic reasons to start curating your perfect sober playlist.
Here are a few recommended additions to your playlist that will have you saying, “Play it Again!”
CAMERON WHITCOMB
Cameron Whitcomb got sober at 20 after a friend’s overdose. Three years later, he’s writing songs about anxiety that get screamed back to him by thousands at his shows. His latest track ‘Kingdom of Fear‘ proves something crucial: recovery anthems don’t have to be boring.’
Enter the Kingdom of Fear. This song is his version of how anxiety shows up in his sober life. Based on the 24 million song downloads and the thousands who scream every word at the live shows, this one hits with his young and ever-growing audience. Songs like this are so important in helping people identify and express feelings around difficult subjects like mental health. With lyrics like: “Ask me how I’ve been, I’ll say I’m great but under my skin, I’m not okay.” Cameron Whitcomb is a pro at authentically capturing these struggles.
Cameron Whitcomb continues to write hit after impactful hit. EVERY SINGLE ONE of his songs is incredible and cuts deep to the core, but also rocks out. Seeing him live is highly recommended, Whitcomb speaks of his sobriety live onstage and thrills with his spontaneous backflips and extreme stage presence. Even with all his newfound success and celebrity, Whitcomb is incredibly humble and amazingly generous with his fans. Check him out, live, on tour now or online, and add Kingdom of Fear or any of his other songs to your sober playlist.
LAPeCHE
This Brooklyn- based band is for all the emo kids out there, and we LOVE IT! The dreamy tunes from the new album, Autotelic, have me going Pretty in Pink, going goth, or both. There are sounds reminiscent of The Cranberries, Book of Love, and even Blondie, and it is really some kind of wonderful. This album is a familial ride back to the 80’s that somehow feels brand new and lighter- like glitter goth that makes you want to groove.
Lead singer Krista Diem has the voice of an angel with an edge. She emotes in a way that draws the listener in for more. LAPeCHE lyrics are unflinching, deep, and layered with meaning.
Try this one from their new song, Parallel Park:
I heard your story
It had no words
I can’t run with you anymore
Never be a full recovery
A zombie dance marathon
I can’t run with you anymore
There are more than a few reasons to add LAPeCHE to your sober playlist. Lead singer, Krista Diem, and bassist, Dave Diem, are married and have long-term sobriety- couple goals! They walk the recovery talk and share a few thoughts on the two newest songs that they feel most speak to sobriety. “Parallel Park is talking about the “ism”, acknowledging the damage done and saying to it… yeah…. umm… NO THANKS!” And Double Knotted speaks of addiction not being who you are. In early sobriety and even now (in recovery), it’s hard to separate how I was with who I am. Having these insights makes it so much more fun to explore their music. This can serve as a helpful reminder of where we’ve been and why we do not want to go back. Forward motion only. You can find LAPeCHE here.
BRIAN TONART
Next up, blues that make you smile. Tunes from Brian Tonart are anything but dreary. This guy has been through it with addiction, love, loss, and now recovery. While we all know addiction and recovery are serious matters with dire consequences, Tonart chooses to share his experiences in a humorous and relatable way. This wildly talented musician lives comfortably in the “laugh so you don’t cry” space and freely shares all the details. This type of vulnerable storytelling often helps people facing challenges of addiction see a way through their own battles. These lyrics give us permission to laugh at ourselves, which is a form of radical acceptance that often leads to healing.
A few of my favorites from Tonart are Unfucked Myself, Everything Must Go and Addict in the Attic. Besides helping you relate to the lyrics and tap into your own healing; this music will make you want to get up and dance. With guitar riffs and harmonic rhythms, it is nearly impossible to sit still while these songs are playing. They are perfect for swing dancing. This could lead to a new hobby. Dancing is good for the soul and a lovely distraction from stress, which makes recovery more challenging. Give these Tonart tunes a whirl- preferably around a dance floor. You can to Brian Tonart listen here.
MGK and JELLY ROLL
Let’s round this one out with a double dose of superstar power from MGK and Jelly Roll! Besides having some of the most clever and hard-hitting lyrics around addiction and recovery, their sobriety is nothing short of miraculous. Considering the rock and roll lifestyle, they both had to walk on the lonely road less traveled to give up all the roaring temptations and become better versions of themselves. They are both extremely open about their sobriety.
Lonely Road is the collab we did not know we needed but are so incredibly happy it came to be. It is a letter to loved ones and explores heartbreak, addiction, regret, and the desire to find the way back home. There is nothing slow or subdued about MGK, but this one is more like an anthem than a dance song. It does make you want to get up and cheer and maybe kick up your boots. The perfect bonus is that it samples part of the chorus from John Denver’s iconic song about the country roads of West Virginia. And sidenote, John Denver struggled with a lifetime of addiction but was sober when he died in a plane crash.
When stars like Jellyroll and MGK use their enormous platform and influence to speak openly about the benefits of sobriety, it has an impact on people. They can deliver this message to a large number of people who might not otherwise receive it. Their pained and joyful lyrics make people see that we are not alone in addiction or in recovery.
This is really a gateway piece to persuade you to look further into the stories of addiction and recovery, both MGK and Jelly Roll share in their songs. MGK has Treading Water about his time in rehab. Play This When I’m Gone is about wanting to be a better father. Jelly Roll has Winning Streak about rock bottom, Sober, and Son of a Sinner about the shame and cycle of addiction, and Addiction Sucks, which is self-explanatory.
What’s on your sober playlist? Dig into your favorite songs and sober artists, journal about the lyrics and what they mean to you. Find the ones that make you say, “Play it Again” and make music part of your recovery.
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PLAY IT AGAIN is The Sober Curator’s curated playlist of sobriety anthems—songs that capture the essence of recovery journeys and lift the spirit. From timeless classics to modern hits, these tracks inspire, heal, and motivate, no matter what genre of choice. Each song is handpicked for its power to transport you to another state of mind and remind you why living alcohol-free rocks.
Got a favorite sobriety theme song? We want to hear it! Send your picks to thesobercurator@gmail.com and help us keep the playlist growing.
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Why is music helpful in addiction recovery?
Music can support addiction recovery by helping reduce anxiety, ease depression, provide healthy distraction, and create a safe way to process complex emotions. Listening to and creating music can also stimulate the brain’s reward system, offering a natural dopamine release without substances.
What is a sober playlist?
A sober playlist is a collection of songs that support your recovery, sobriety, mental health, or emotional growth. It might include songs about addiction, healing, resilience, grief, joy, anxiety, or simply tracks that help you feel grounded, motivated, or less alone.
Which artists are featured in this sober playlist article?
Lisa C. highlights Cameron Whitcomb, LAPeCHE, Brian Tonart, MGK, and Jelly Roll. Each artist brings a different sound and recovery-related perspective, from anxiety anthems and long-term sobriety reflections to bluesy humor and public conversations about addiction and change.
What Cameron Whitcomb song should I add to my sober playlist?
Lisa C. recommends Cameron Whitcomb’s “Kingdom of Fear,” a song that explores anxiety in sober life. His music is described as emotionally honest, high-energy, and especially meaningful for listeners who connect with songs about mental health and recovery.
Why are MGK and Jelly Roll included in a recovery playlist?
MGK and Jelly Roll are included because both artists have spoken openly about addiction, sobriety, regret, healing, and becoming better versions of themselves. Their collaboration “Lonely Road” is highlighted as a recovery-adjacent anthem about heartbreak, addiction, and the desire to find the way back home.
How can I use music as part of my recovery?
You can use music in recovery by creating playlists for different emotional states, journaling about lyrics that resonate with you, attending sober-friendly concerts, dancing as a stress release, or finding artists whose stories remind you that change is possible.
