This year has seen many highs and lows. It's truly been a confusing and rather enlightening time to be alive. I could make an extensive list of all the things that have happened this year alone, but I won't because it would be a painful list. Music has always been a medium that many people use to cope in times of emotional distress and heartache. Here are 10 artists that are getting me through this year. They have reinstated the hope I thought I lost and are my go to when I need comfort:

1. Daughter

Formed in 2010, Daughter is an indie folk band from London, England. The band released their debut album If You Leave in March 2013, which charted number sixteen in the UK. This year, after three years of being in hiatus, they released their sophomore album Not to Disappear. Their first single titled "Doing The Right Thing," "is a raw testament to our human mortality, offering something of a bleak commentary on the nightmares of old age, specifically neurodegeneration." Their music makes you reminisce about past lovers, those who have long passed, and people you just can't seem to forget. Daughter never fails to subject their listeners into a vulnerable and emotional state of mind that becomes addictive over time.

2. Jack Garratt

Buckinghamshire born British singer-songwriter Jack Garrett has made a name for himself this year. His music uniquely incorporates a fusion of indie pop, hip hop, alternative R&B, and blues, which stunningly works beautifully all together. The 24-year old singer is an artist that you should dare not overlook. His debut album Phase, released February 19, 2016, debuted at number three on UK Albums Chart. "The songs on Phase have such a unique sound to them, and Jack explains that many of the tracks were written as letters to people." Take some time out of your day and listen to his album in it's whole entirety, you won't regret it.

3. Lapsley

Ahead of her years, this artist leaves you in a daze with her powerful vocals and emotionally charged lyrics that leave a scar on your heart. The 20 year old English singer, songwriter, musician, and producer, that goes by the stage name Låpsley, has a special way of intertwining her Adele-esque voice with the hypnotizing beats she creates for each of her songs. Her music twists the conventions of alternative R&B by fusing electronic and ambient tunes which helps create her raw and haunting persona that leaves a lasting impression. Her debut album titled Long Way Home with the certified gold single "Hurt Me," was released March 4, 2016. Watch the music video for "Hurt Me" here.

4. ANOHNI

A force of nature, ANOHNI, formerly known as Anthony Hegarty, leader of Anthony and the Johnsons, has "utterly transform[ed] the sound and message of her music" in her recent album, released earlier this year in May, titled HOPELESSNESS. Once known for her imagistic chamber-pop ballads that delve into the realms of art-pop, she has re-envisioned her purpose as an artist. HOPELESSNESS leaves the acoustic vibe, as prior albums consisted of, and instead plunges into electronica, with the company of politically charged lyrics that completely contrast the personal and intimate lyrics ANOHNI is known for. Despite it's dark undertones, in some aspects, HOPELESSNESS can be considered a dance record. Check out her music video "Drone Bomb Me" that stars Naomi Campbell here.

5. Blood Orange

From providing the score to the debut film Palo Alto from director Gia Coppola, and appearing on the film's original soundtrack, Devonté Hynes, known by his stage name Blood Orange, has displayed his multi-genre artistry to the world through his soulful contemporary works. His music focuses on R&B/electronic tunes that respectfully can be considered dance ballads. His latest album titled Freetown Sound directly references the racial injustice that has been occurring in America and is a political masterpiece in itself. This album "resonates with everyone sagging under the weight of systemic oppression."

6. Childish Gambino

Star of the FX series Atlanta, American actor, writer, comedian and musician, Donald Glover, better known for his stage name Childish Gambino, recently released a single titled "Me and Your Mama" on November 10th. "What starts off as a sweet lullaby continues into a sonic dream sequence and then quickly morphs into an aggressive, yet melodic hard rock portion of the six-minute song." He gracefully elicits all the pent up emotions we've all experienced at some point in our lives over someone we couldn't help but be madly infatuated with. You can take a listen here.

7. Bridgit Mendler

Former Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler has completely revamped her image this year. Transitioning from the cutesy teen image that most Disney stars try to break out from, Bridgit Mendler took the road less traveled by, releasing an indie pop/R&B inspired EP titled Nemesis. The debut single "Atlantis" featuring Kaiydo released August 26, 2016, received critical acclaim and as Deepa Lakshmin put it, was "a radical departure from Mendler's previous record." The single alone makes you yearn for more.

8. Banks

Compared to the likings of Ellie Goulding, American singer-songwriter Banks creates what can be described as dark R&B music that transports you into your deepest and darkest confessions. Her sophomore album The Altar, released September 30, 2016, is a auditorial depiction of her transition into "tapping into her own strength and vulnerability, both as a woman and as a human being." The lead single "Fuck With Myself" itself stands as a slogan of interdependence and self-affirmation.

9. Hayley Kiyoko

This artist may look familiar. Known for starring in the Disney Channel original movie Lemonade Mouth, Hayley Kiyoko had been off the radar in music for the past four years. Well she's back and she's better than ever. Last summer she released the single "Girls Like Girls" which served as inspiration for the LGBT-positive music video that accompanied the song. Incorporating the genres of dream pop and synth pop, Hayley Kiyoko has used her artistic capabilities to promote self acceptance and inclusion of minorities that are objected to oppression daily. Kiyoko is changing the game and she's doing it all on her own. Her EP Citrine was released September 30, 2016. Listen to her single "Gravel To Tempo" here.

10. The xx

Hailing from London, it has been quite a while since we've heard anything new from The xx, with their last real release in 2012. Formed in 2005 in Wandsworth, London, the English indie pop band has been known for their soothing, mellow, and chilled out sound. After nearly four years, they have released the first single "On Hold" from their upcoming, third studio album, I See You, that is expected to release January 13, 2017. "On Hold" is definitely a move forward from the sound they're known for. Taking on a more pop sound, "On Hold" encompasses a romantic essence that you can't help but play on repeat to forget about everything that's been troubling your mind. Take a listen here.