“This is about celebrating and embracing First Nations language,” Emma Donovan tells Apple Music about using language throughout her soul and R&B repertoire. “I feel so proud when I hear language being used by others. There’s more language now that identifies different nations across this country, and more are being used and recognised today than ever before.” You don’t always need to understand every word in a song to connect to the message or story it contains. Music has a way of speaking volumes in any language—or, often, with no words at all—and this playlist is testament to that. Featuring songs containing lyrics in a multitude of First Nations languages as well as numerous instrumental tracks that let the music do the talking, Mother honours the language, stories and communities that have been thriving across Australia for more than 65,000 years. First Nations languages are as rich and plentiful as the communities themselves, and we invite you to spend time with each song—listening in, absorbing its sound and emotion, and even researching the languages and words you may not understand. “‘Lullaby’ was the first time I put language in my songs,” says Donovan, who sings in Gumbaynggirr and Noongar, of one of her songs featured here. “I translated the words ‘sweet dreams’ in Gumbaynggirr, where it means ‘peace in your dreams’. I was looking over my niece and my little brother at the time and it was a form of whispering language while they were asleep.” Elsewhere you’ll also hear Donovan’s track “Ngarraanga”, a song of hope and reflection. “The word Ngarraanga means to give hope for the Stolen Generation mob to remember parts of their Dreaming,” she says. “Yuludarra, a word in the song, means ‘remembering their Dreaming’ in Gumbaynggirr, and this is the line I wanted to use in language as a way to provide hope.” Listen to, learn from and celebrate songs that feature languages such as Anindilyakwa (sung by Emily Wurramara), Mudburra (Kardajala Kirridarra), Yolŋu Matha (Gurrumul), Kamilaroi (Bob Weatherall), An-Barra (Letterstick Band) and many more. This playlist has been curated by Wiradjuri woman Jaja Dare and the artwork has been created in collaboration with Yugambeh and Bundjalung artist SHAL. Apple acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.