Life in 10 Tracks is a feature series that is all about being injected into a moment in someone’s life through music. In it, passersby reminisce on the tracks that remind them of bad haircuts, breakups, and all of the joyful, poignant moments in between.
Ambar Lucid has come a long way since sharing her first cover on YouTube. At just 21, the self-taught Dominican-Mexican artist from New Jersey is one of pop's rising stars and the textbook definition of 'standing in your power.' Whether it's seamlessly flipping between Spanish and English mid-verse, introducing the world to her alter ego in a music video, or continuing to fight for immigrant rights after being separated from her father for most of her teens: Ambar does it all with a conviction that belies her age. Here, she talks about tracks that transport her back in time and reveals what song cures relationship problems when shouted at the top of your lungs.
♫ listen to ambar's playlist
Every time I listen to this song, I feel timeless — it feels like a portal that transports me to different versions of myself. This song makes time feel nonlinear and connects me to different timelines.
“Us and Them” by Pink Floyd / Listen to the album The Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd Music Ltd., 1973)
I got my first guitar when I was 11 and taught myself how to play it so I could start singing and performing. This was the first song I learned how to play on the guitar, so it really brings me back to the beginning of all of that.
“Pumped up Kicks” by Foster the People / Listen to the album Torches (Sony Music Entertainment, 2011)
I would listen to this song a lot as a kid whenever I felt sad. For some reason, it reminded me of my distant father. It definitely made me even sadder when I listened to it, but sometimes you need that.
“Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane / Listen to the album Hopes and Fears (Universal-Island Records Ltd., 2004)
"Telephone" is a song that has always been able to put me in a good mood — ever since I was about 11. I can't ever skip it when it comes on shuffle, as it makes my child-self really happy.
“Telephone” by Lady Gaga / Listen to the album The Fame Monster (UMG Recordings, Inc., 2009)
Rosalía's "Sakura" is a song I deeply resonate with. If the current version of myself was a song, it would be this one. I honestly love this entire album front to back, though.
“Sakura” by Rosalía / Listen to the album MOTOMAMI (Columbia Records, 2022)
This song comes in clutch whenever I'm experiencing relationship problems. Screaming all of the lyrics is literally a stress reliever <3
“Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish / Listen to the album Happier Than Ever (Darkroom/Interscope Records, 2021)
This song is extremely special to me. I performed it with Mon when I went on tour with her; I've loved her since forever, so it meant a lot to sing it on stage with her.
“La Trenza” by Mon Laferte / Listen to the album La Trenza (Universal Music, 2017)
"Cyclone" by Sticky Fingers reminds me of my teenage self. I was obsessed with this song when I was in high school and would sing it all the time. It definitely transports me back to that specific time in my life and what I was going through then.
“Cyclone” by Sticky Fingers / Listen to the single Cyclone (The Village Sessions) (Sticky Fingers & Sureshaker, 2020)
This also reminds me of my teenage self — whenever I hear it, I think of my childhood friends and I hanging out and smoking weed. Something about this song is also just nostalgic in general, for anyone who listens to it, I think.
“The Less I know the Better” by Tame Impala / Listen to the album Currents (Modular Recordings, 2015)
I would listen to this song very often when I was around 16-years-old and first started making my own music. It weirdly felt like a tunnel welcoming me into the entertainment world. I still resonate with it.
“Welcome to the Machine” by Pink Floyd / Listen to the album Wish You Were Here (Sony Music Entertainment, 1975)
words and images provided by ambar lucid, lead image by clyde munroe, interview by marina sulmona