Hawks
11.20.25 | So, yesterday morning I had a horrible mental breakdown. The worst panic attack in my life led to severe hyperventilating, heart rate through the roof and uncontrollable crying. Ended up in the psyche ward for a day and this is the second time in the past couple years. I've done this before, but I think I need to take a bit of a break from super dark music for a while.
Any recs from genres like indie, folk, ambient, jazz or anything similar would be greatly appreciated boys. |
osmark86
11.20.25 | Shit Hawks, take care of yourself. I really think you should try therapy. Believe me it can do wonders for your mental health and your mental health is extremely important. |
Lasssie
11.20.25 | Sad to hear Hawks, but good thing youre feeling better today
For me it works with music that doesnt have any lyrics so jazz might be good. In my experience many indie bands at least has a lot of dark or depressing lyrics |
budgie
11.20.25 | this will destroy you's debut lp is my go to happy jam these dayz |
osmark86
11.20.25 | I've had anxiety and panic attacks myself. Shortness of breath and pressure in the chest area is awful. |
RVAHC13
11.20.25 | Damn hawks I’m sorry that happened, are you doing alright?
try Jonny Nash and Suzanne Kraft - Passive Aggressive |
RVAHC13
11.20.25 | Last time I had a panic attack was live on air during a news segment |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Thanks my brothers. Feel good today thankfully. Osmark bro I have a therapy appointment on the 25th, super excited about that. |
osmark86
11.20.25 | Great that you're taking action on your well-being mate! If you don't vibe with the therapist know that you can always try out a few different ones until it clicks. |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Yep, exactly. I've tried it before, but never really wanted to stick with it. Now that I have a baby on the way, I wanna get this shit completely under control. |
unclereich
11.20.25 | We love you hawks
Peep one of my favorite lesser known bands ever bear hands:
https://youtu.be/VOlcDBXKhSU?si=2TainrLVY27x9CU1
|
Dewinged
11.20.25 | Sorry to hear that Hawks, please take care of yourself, dark music is great, but a bit of hair metal won't hurt your pie much. And you have a baby on the way,!? Dude! Congratulations!! |
budgie
11.20.25 | u should name ur child budgie |
RVAHC13
11.20.25 | Name him Blackie Lawless |
osmark86
11.20.25 | Oh you have a baby on the way? congratulations! mine is already 8 months old now lol, time flies. best decision I ever made honestly. you're in for a ride! |
osmark86
11.20.25 | ..and yeah I can totally understand why you want to sort things out ahead of it. very mature decision honestly, shows you really care. |
arthropod
11.20.25 | Looks frightening. Glad you're okay and active in handling the issue.
Also, congratulations on producing offspring. May your life as a parent be happy and fruitful.
Is pop or The Beatles type of stuff alright? Got some indie too. |
mindleviticus
11.20.25 | Damn hope you're doing okay bro. I had to basically stop listening to a bunch of different music because it would make me too upset like elliot smith, most emo/screamo, most black metal etc. I would second osmask's suggestion of therapy because it can be life changing. If you don't like it you don't have to continue but it can really help; not overnight but gradually. |
jrlikestodance
11.20.25 | We love you big dawg. Congrats on the baby and wishing you a healthy path to recovery < 3 |
Christbait
11.20.25 | George Clanton - Ooh Rap I Ya
Fief - Fief IV
The Decemberists - The King is Dead
I'm sorry to hear you've been struggling, Hawks. Make sure you recognize for yourself the effort you put in to getting your head right. Depression can feel like a warm blanket sometimes, as odd as it is to say. Once it grabs you it is fucking tough to wiggle out. Keep your energy directed into positive avenues and find a little bit of extra self-care if you can. And please don't let this site cause you undue anxiety! You have been one of the, if not the primary, contributor to the site over the past few months. We're still gonna be around shit talking if you need to step away a bit. Take care man |
PanosChris
11.20.25 | Really sorry to hear that, Hawks; best of luck on your therapy appointment and please do take it easy and prioritize your mental health. Huge congratulations too for your baby!
This year's 'The Life You Save' by Flock Of Dimes is a personal favorite as far as folk goes
Patrick Shiroishi's 'Hidemi' has been a recent discovery and it's a short and sweet jazz record
Hope you're doing well now, brother |
budgie
11.20.25 | darude - sandstorm |
bigweinerdon
11.20.25 | I called it quits on caffeine and my anxietys been doing much better. All the coffee and work bullshit is just the perfect storm to have a mental breakdown. Just gotta say fuck it to alot of things. Congrats on the baby though man that's great news. |
Donchivo
11.20.25 | All the best for recovery, brother!! You're an awesome person to discuss music with. I would second recommendations for therapy mentioned before, in case that this is something you can imagine for yourself.
For very upbeat but intriguing music I recommend:
Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40 - Areito
Dimension Latina - Dimension Latina'75
Take care, bro!! |
zakalwe
11.20.25 | Fucking ridiculous |
efp123
11.20.25 | don’t lose hope. I hope it gets better soon. like people commenting here before I saw this: people care about you. I’m in a shit point of my life too. don’t slip away, and forget how to become happy again. happiness is somewhat overwhelming if it has been awhile. anyway, take care man. your Gia Margaret rec a few weeks ago meant more to me than you likely realize. I just want you to know that since you’re in a bad mood |
Jurtz
11.20.25 | First of all, I love you brother. I've been through severe anxiety myself and I know how challenging it can be. Congratulations with the little one on the way! My wife is also pregnant, we found out last weekend. It's something very special. I'm glad you're going to therapy and planning to stick with it. I've found that therapy, medication and regular exercise are the pillars that keep my life in order. Do you think listening to dark music contributed to your anxiety attack? If so, I might dial music like that down a little as well, if it helps my mental health. I often find that it helps me deal with difficult emotions though, but I guess that's different for everyone. |
Hawks
11.20.25 | I love all of you. Blown away by the love and support. Thank you all so much. |
RVAHC13
11.20.25 | Hawks u are the IV in the arm of this site, we luv u rad dad
“I called it quits on caffeine and my anxietys been doing much better.”
Coffee just puts me to sleep nowadays |
garas
11.20.25 | It's Fief-time then.
https://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands/Fief/85706/
Best wishes, dude! |
DoofDoof
11.20.25 | Congrats on becoming a father Hawks, it's incredible, you never forget that - but can be a strain on the mental health.
Definitely look after yourself in advance. I found it high stress esp over Covid with a newborn, when the fam wasn't around I started online gambling as stress relief/escape as a buddy was also into his gambling and that was a bad choice but kicked that after just over a year.
I'm wfh 90% of the time and look after the kid on my own for about 5 or 6 hours a day, split before and after work (before the cavalry arrives usually about 7pm) - it's amazing having that amount of time but also...can be frustrating sometimes. Can't believe a four year old can eat a meal and four snacks in 90 minutes etc. |
Zac124
11.20.25 | Wish for the best Hawks! I highly recommend Masayoshi Takanaka - The Rainbow Goblins. Probably one of the most gleeful and fantastical albums ever produced. Its a guaranteed mood lifter for me at least. |
bigweinerdon
11.20.25 | I have a dad playlist full of classic rock and country and other old heaters. Definitely gets me into a feel good mood. I can shoot you the spotify link if interested |
Cyberduck
11.20.25 | Sorry to hear that and wishing all the best, some recs from mostly ambient and classic:
Thomas Newman - American Beauty OST
Popol Vuh - Nosferatu OST
Cranes - Future Songs
Proem - Socially Inept
Lull - Cold Summer
Orchestra Mozart - Brandenburg Concertos
Giuliano Carmignola - Vivaldi's Four Seasons
Sub Dub - Sub Dub
|
gabba
11.20.25 | This must have been terrible, I hope you’ll get back to your old self soon! Jam “Mystère” by La Femme, it’ll make your day brighter. |
Hawks
11.20.25 | You guys rule!! Thanks so much. :]]
Yeah Big bro, shoot me that link for sure! |
LouBreed
11.20.25 | Hold on, Hawks I feel like you are the main driving force behind this site at the moment! Try to focus on the incoming baby, that must be the most important and positive thing ever.
No recs from me though. I once made a YouTube Music playlist of positive songs to cheer up a very gentle and lonely friend of mine, but half of it is Ukrainian and Belorussian bands, and it also contains an Offspring song that you'd probably hate.
Anyways, sending rays of kindness your way. Don't give up! |
LeftyMcRighty
11.20.25 | Stay strong Hawks.
Give this a listen:
Graham Sharp - "Coming Back to Life" |
arthropod
11.20.25 | There's a group of bands which are more or less classics of their respective countries' rock scenes and all play this specific sort of bittersweet jangle pop rock. I strongly recommend the songs below.
Czerwone Gitary (PPR/Poland) - Płoną góry, płoną lasy (Mountains burn, forests burn), Kwiaty we włosach (Flowers in the hair)
Kino (USSR/Russia) - Кончится лето (Summer is ending), Когда твоя девушка больна (When your girlfriend is sick)
Spitz (Japan) - チェリー (Cherry), ロビンソン (Robinson) |
arthropod
11.20.25 | of light and mostly positive music I also have these:
Beach Bunny - Tunnel Vision (indie pop)
Belinda Carlisle - Runaway Horses (80's pop rock)
happysad - Wszystko jedno (regressive rock)
Kombi - Nowy Rozdział (80's electronic rock)
Lady Pank - Lady Pank (80's rock, kind of The Rolling Stones type)
Poets of the Fall - Signs of Life, Twilight Theater, Jealous Gods (respectively: pop rock, symph rock, pop rock with bits of country, disco, rap and techno)
Water From Your Eyes - It's a Beautiful Place (indie pop) |
Hawks
11.20.25 | You guys really are the best. Thank you so much for all the support!!! |
AlkemestRedux
11.20.25 | Hang in there man, glad to hear you're taking positive steps for your mental health. Rooting for you!
Some albums I love when I'm feeling off:
Sturgill Simpson - A Sailor's Guide to Earth
Mewithoutyou - It's all crazy!
Anything by The Devil Makes Three and The Growlers
Wildcard recommendation that you may like is NuLogic - Somewhere Between the Light. Hands down my favorite dance album of all time. Absolutely gorgeous dnb. |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Thanks buddy!!! |
MTObsidian
11.20.25 | Take care of yourself, brother! My recs off the top of my head are as follows for less dark stuff:
Cloudkicker - Fade
Cloudkicker - Subsume
Cloudkicker - Let Yourself Be Huge
Alcest - Shelter
Tycho - Awake
The Omnific - Escapades
Scale The Summit - The Migration
Elder - Innate Passage |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Nice shoutout to Shelter!!! Thanks my brother, appreciate you. |
jrlikestodance
11.20.25 | Lovelee Dae by Blaze. Feel good house tune and an all time classic |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Sounds like exactly what I need! |
botb
11.20.25 | Deeply also recommend therapy and idk if you’re medicated but I recommend that as well. Been on SSRIs since I was like 8 or 9, only reason I’m no longer having panic attacks. |
0GuyMan0
11.20.25 | Thats tough, man. All the best. You got this.
Since you asked for ambient, and I saw Cloudkicker suggested up there (big support for that one, Beacons specificallyy), I'll once again mention The Galilean Satellites. It's a towering, captivating, abstract journey through space. Heavy, but more thematic with space than dark. It dragged me out of a music funk, which is different of course, but there's a magic in that album that might hit you too. And if it does, the next two albums get more and more genuinely uplifting. |
Hawks
11.20.25 | I am indeed medicated, but my meds are more geared toward my ADD and anger issues. Those things are pretty under control, but the anxiety persists. Have an appointment on the 25th so hopefully can get some more answers/an as needed med that I can take when they come on. |
osmark86
11.20.25 | Also big congrats Jurtz! Fatherhood bonding itt lol |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Hell yeah bros! My wife is about two and a half months pregnant. June 30th is her due date, which would be cool cause my birthday is June 10th lol. |
osmark86
11.20.25 | That is awesome Hawks. Be sure to keep your wife's cravings met haha. I loved being able to run small errands for my wife when she was pregnant to make her feel taken care of. Felt like my contribution to the process. |
bigweinerdon
11.20.25 | Hell ya broski June birthdays represent |
Mongi123
11.20.25 | Fightstar- Behind The Devils Back= Deftones esque alt metal/post hardcore
The Verve- A Storm In Heaven= Shoegaze
Caspian- On Circles= Post Rock
Florence And The Machine- Everybody Scream= Art pop
Hammock- Nevertheless= meditative ambient, their other post rock stuff should be fine but they can get sad
M83- Hurry Up We’re Dreaming= Shoegazey synthy pop
Lights Out Asia- Eyes Like Brontide= Post Rock
Sundrowned- Become Etheral= Blackgaze with super cathartic and emotional climaxes.
Hope you feel better man! I have autistic so I’m no stranger to breakdowns. Take the time your need and consume the art right for you atm
|
Mongi123
11.20.25 | I also second Poets Of The Fall but the album Carnival Of Rust |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Love all of you very much! Appreciate it more than you guys know. :] |
Titan
11.20.25 | 'but I think I need to take a bit of a break from super dark music for a while.'
I hope you feel better buddy, and I believe the constant dark music does play a role. I enjoy Hold Your Fire by Rush. You should listen to the lyrics in some of those songs. It's late 80's and easy on the ears. You may even like it. Mid 80's to mid 90's Rush always helped in lifting my spirits when I needed it. |
botb
11.20.25 | Oh that’s sick man, is that your first kid? |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Love you Titan!! And yes Botb bro, this will be our first kid. :] |
botb
11.20.25 | Chillin with my two month old right now. Can’t put into words how much it will change your life and put everything into context. Best to you and the wifey |
JWT155
11.20.25 | Congrats on the incoming kid man! |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Thanks so much brother, I can't wait!! |
Spec
11.20.25 | Take care man. Panic attacks are the worst. |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Yes they are buddy, thank you! |
Hyperion1001
11.20.25 | damn sorry to hear that buddy. take care of yourself! |
osmark86
11.20.25 | Congrats botb |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Love you brother, I'll be alright. Gotta keep pushing. |
osmark86
11.20.25 | ...and yes it does |
Futures
11.20.25 | https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EYZ5Z5PXkAEEO_j.jpg
|
Hawks
11.20.25 | Beer is damn good!!! Lol ily Futures bro. |
Futures
11.20.25 | but we know you got this brother and we're all here for ya. the jams will always provide solace as well. it will get better. keep on trucking through.
love ya man |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Hell yeah my brother. |
botb
11.20.25 | Thanks os! Vastly surpassed my expectations, I was petrified going in, but fuck it we ball. |
Hawks
11.20.25 | M//////EN |
Rowhaus
11.20.25 | Hang in there Hawksy love ya buddy! Excited to hear you've got a little fledgling on the way. Here's some bloomer recs for smiley times:
Tokyo Shoegazer - Crystallize
Thievery Corporation - The Mirror Conspiracy
Bob Marley and The Wailers - Exodus
Thelonious Monk - Straight, No Chaser
The Midnight - Syndicate |
PizzaBear
11.20.25 | Ling Tosite Sigure - Just a Moment |
pyroflare77
11.20.25 | Good to hear you're bouncing back pal. Czech some stuff from my city pop list been having a great time with that deep dive. |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Love you guys lots!!! |
Grimlin
11.20.25 | Sorry to hear, man. Anxiety is a motherfucker. These indie records make me feel good, so hopefully they do you as well.
Pinback - Autumn of the Seraphs
Cursive - Vitriola
Open Hand - You and Me
Dredg - The Pariah, the Parrot, the Delusion
Circa Survive - The Amulet |
Aids
11.20.25 | probably you have listened to it but if not you should check out Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder. it makes me happy to be alive.
I even checked your ratings (!!!) to make sure you didn't have it rated already. I'm learning.
be well dude. life is good. |
Muzz79
11.20.25 | Take it easy hawkesy |
CaliggyJack
11.20.25 | Jam Josh Groban.
The man's voice will make you feel like the world is just fucking great. |
Hawks
11.20.25 | You guys rule and I love you all!!! |
CaliggyJack
11.20.25 | Love you 2 brother
Get better soon! I expect to see you participating in the Winter Hunger Games in December! |
Hawks
11.20.25 | Oh I'll be there, don't worry. ;] |
Gyromania
11.21.25 | Sorry to hear this, man. I was in the psych ward this time last year for a couple weeks for mental health issues. I def get it. Hope you have better days ahead < 3 |
Hawks
11.21.25 | Thanks so much buddy! It sucks, but at least we have each other and other people that can relate. Makes me not feel alone thats for sure. Sometimes it does feel that way sadly, but I posted this here because I knew so many people could relate. Love you my man, hope you're okay as well. |
OwMySnauze
11.21.25 | You need an upbeat fun catchy album, may I recommend:
The Starting Line- Eternal Youth. |
Hawks
11.21.25 | I very much appreciate that! Thanks bro. :] |
pizzamachine
11.21.25 | Left Sputnik, had therapy, addicted to K-pop again, and now life is more smiles. Do what you gotta do |
Emim
11.21.25 | Listen to some Stevie Wonder, either Innervisons or Songs In the Key of Life. Impossible to not be happy listening to Stevie |
TheSonomaDude
11.21.25 | damn hawks :( |
jrlikestodance
11.21.25 | Thirding Stevie, so many feel good cuts. He has at least 30 of the best songs ever made |
hansoloshotfirst
11.21.25 | take care man. best of luck to you. |
osmark86
11.21.25 | Fourthing Stevie. Had For Once In My Life as one of the songs performed at my wedding. |
Hawks
11.21.25 | Guess I'm gonna have to get on some Stevie today!! Thanks for all the kind words my brothers. |
Emim
11.21.25 | You got this bro |
Hawks
11.21.25 | Love you Mimsy! |
Emim
11.21.25 | 🖤 |
Winsomniac
11.21.25 | Love ya buddy, and I know firsthand what some of that experience can be like.
For me, I have to try and find time in my schedule to do things that bring me peace. Obviously I don't know what burdens anyone else might be carrying, but trying to stay active and having hobbies that give me a creative outlet do a lot for me.
Leave a shoutbox comment if you ever need someone to talk to, bro. |
Hawks
11.21.25 | You're the man Win, love you too brother! |
Valzentia
11.22.25 | Love ya man 🖤 |
Hawks
11.22.25 | Love you too!!! |
Get Low
11.22.25 | "an as needed med that I can take when they come on."
I highly recommend Hydroxyzine. It's the safest, non-habit forming, as-needed anxiety medication, and it has helped me a ton. The main side effect is that it makes you drowsy (the drug is a relative to Benydril), but not so much that you can't still go about your day if you're at work or something. |
Hawks
11.22.25 | Sadly, I've tried it and it did nothing for me. :[ I've tried so many different meds that its honestly discouraging. Abilify helps my anger a ton, but the anxiety is still there. It has been a while though so maybe I can give it another go and see if anything changed. Will ask the doc about it. |
evilford
11.22.25 | Sorry to hear this Hawks, but glad you're feeling a bit better now.
Honestly Spiderland has healed a lot of mental wounds for me over time
Also, what I love about Pink Floyd is they (mainly due to Roger's songwriting) were never afraid to tackle issues of mental health and the overall difficulty of the human condition. Band (and on that front, namely The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here) saved my life and mind on countless occasions.
Take care of yourself buddy. |
Hawks
11.22.25 | Love those albums so I'll have to give them a nice jam today, thanks my brother. :] |
Azazzel
11.22.25 | so no more Linkin Park? D: |
efp123
11.22.25 | on a minor funny note to boost the overall mood, it was fuckin funny you did your list title all caps per usual hahahh |
Hawks
11.22.25 | Lmao I didn't even think about that. Pretty damn funny. |
Redstag4
11.23.25 | After over a decade of lerking and occasionly commenting, I don't normally talk much lol. That being said you have been one of the most recognizable names on here over the years, I really hope you are doing well, congrats on being a dad! |
Confessed2005
11.23.25 | Hawks brother, I suffer with schizo-affective disorder and anxiety is a neverending nightmare for me - sometimes I have panic attacks out of the blue and get really het up etc. so good luck mate with therapy and congrats on the baby! |
