If you were to ask my friends to create a playlist for me, there would be a lot of slower tunes on the list. In fact, when I first met my current neighbor and we got around to talking about our music ...

You would think happy people would prefer to listen to happy music. Lyrics that speak to their positive mood, bringing them cheer and joy. Yet, sad music tends to have a longer-lasting appeal for many ...

In a world where music is a constant companion, a new study has shed light on the positive impact that sad music can have on ...

When times get tough, you sometimes need a good cry — whether that’s being curled up on the couch watching a sappy rom-com or in the shower singing to the shampoo bottle or stuck in traffic belting ...

Sadness is generally seen as a negative emotion, but we tend to find it pleasurable in an aesthetic context. What is the nature of pleasure that people experience from listening to sad music?

Music is a part of every culture around the world. In fact, the ability to appreciate music is built into our brains, suggesting music has an evolutionary function. Many music studies look at the long ...

Adele’s new album, “30”, is finally available. Last month, hundreds of millions of us streamed its first single, “Easy On Me.” This song evokes feelings not easily put into words. But we can probably ...

People who come to therapy after experiencing a difficult breakup often mention that they have been turning to music as a source of emotional release. They sometimes ponder questions like: “Why am I ...

Sad music can be enjoyable for many listeners. Music can be used for emotional release. Music helps to channel one’s frustration or purge (catharsis) negative emotions (anger and sadness). When we ...