Louise Bruton's Power of Pop playlist | SelfMade x GoldenPlec

If anyone understands the power of a perfectly selected tune, it's Louise Bruton. Journalist, activist, DJ, and joyful celebrator of pop music, she knows how to put together a playlist like few others.

Louise has joined forces with SelfMade, who are running their next event on Saturday 25 May at the Tara Building, focusing on mental health and music. She'll be hosting the evening session, with will centre around a panel discussion hosted by Louise, featuring Paddy Hadda, Caoimhe Barry of Wyvern Lingo, Michael Pope of Le Galaxie, Maria Kelly, and psychotherapist and BIMM lecturer Aoife Ruth, with live performances from the panelists.

In advance of Saturday's event, Louise put together a playlist of go-to songs that mean something to her, to celebrate the power of pop music. (And if you like this, you'll find more of the same at Wigwam on 29 June, where Louise is teaming up with Michael Pope again for more of their Pure Shores club night, in celebration of Pride.)

"Like many people, I use music as a mood enhancer but instead of dwelling on sad feelings when I'm down, I need music to whisk me away," Louise explains.

"Like a large hit of serotonin, pop music gets my heart rate going; from key changes to choruses that I've been singing for most of my life - or on constant repeat - that they now feel like part of the furniture of my brain. The familiarity that I feel with these songs reminds me that the lows don't remember. Even if I'm on a high for three and a half minutes, it's enough."

People dismiss pop music but, in my case, it has saved my life more than once. Here are some songs that have rescued me over the years.

Bitch Better Have My Money - Rihanna

"This one is for all the freelancers out there."

Fuego - Eleni Foureira

"This song was the real winner of last year's Eurovision."

Call Your Girlfriend - Robyn

"If you don't drop everything and hop on your friends as soon as this song kicks in, you need to reassess your life."

Talking Body - Tove Lo

"The last two minutes of this song are when I feel most alive. I wish I was joking."

Chantaje - Shakira feat. Maluma

"There's a certain power in a song that speaks directly to your hips because, as we know, they never lie."

Pynk - Janelle Monáe feat. Grimes

"A slow start but when we get to that final chorus, the unifying feminine energy there could power a revolution."

Heartbreaker - Mariah Carey feat. Jay-Z

"Mariah knows how to craft one hell of a rescue remedy."

Escapade - Janet Jackson

"This is one of the most perfect songs ever written. It's sweet, it's dreamy and it lifts you right out of the grey."

Work It (Soulwax Remix) - Marie Davidson

"This is a filthy little grind of a song. Much like Tiga's Bugatti, it just does something to your inner Fleabag."

Work B**ch - Britney Spears

"My queen, my god. Britney. I could put any song of hers on this list but this song riles up people in such a frantic way. It's like witchcraft."

Raingurl - yaeji

"The perfect song for the club, walking the dog, cleaning your kitchen, chasing invoices. It's hypnotic and sexy and I want to eat it for dinner."

Party for One - Carly Rae Jepsen

"'...Because if you can't love yourself then how the hell you gonna love somebody else?'"

Self Made's 'Mind YourSelf: Mental Health and Music' takes place on 25 May. Tickets can be purchased here.