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Snow is a straight-up nuisance. It threatens to make your walk to class or your morning commute a little more dangerous than usual – and for no reason! Don’t even get me started on when the snow plows come around. Who wants to be surrounded by that grey, slushy mess? No one.
There are only two times when snow is beautiful: when it is falling from the skies and in the morning when it is pristine and untouched. This is a playlist to help you get the most out of this year’s inevitable snowfall, even though it seems like winter will never come due to this unusually warm weather.
Trust me, winter is coming. You’d be a fool if you think global warming is doing you a favor by momentarily postponing the snowpocalypse.
Kick back, relax and grab a hot cup of something and listen to this playlist. You’ll be on a new level of cozy by the end of it.
“Coulda Been My Love” by Foxygen, off of their record, …And Star Power.
Foxygen is a band that begs to be played for countless hours on end. They’re a band who is reviving the classic sound of the 60s and 70s while infusing it with a lot more psychedelics and chaos. It’s awesome.
“Coulda Been My Love” is a song that I wish was 10 times longer than it is. It is a song that is full of tragedy, heartbreak and crooning over a certain someone who “coulda been [your] love.” Sam France’s voice is airy and haunting, emphasizing the emptiness you can feel after a broken heart. The guitar howls in occasionally, providing a welcome bright flourish to the steady piano melody. There’s no better song to reminisce about past loves while staring out the window to. Yes, it’s melodramatic, but you’re the one wistfully staring out he window.
“Everything Goes My Way” by Metronomy, off of their album, The English Riviera.
The cowbell is an underused instrument. I wish it was used more.
Metronomy is here to cure your wintertime blues with a cowbell-laden, summery guitar chord-spiced song. “Everything Goes My Way” begins as a monologue by female singer who is eventually answered by her returned-beloved. Roxanne Clifford, the female voice, has a voice that is cool and calm whereas Joseph Mount’s is sharp and bright. It makes for quite the listening experience – especially when you’re staring out into that winter wonderland.
“Gooey” by Black Mamba, off of their record, ZABA.
I think if the sun reflecting off of freshly-fallen snow had a sound, it would be the opening synthesizer chords of “Gooey.”
This song has a delicate, otherworldly sound to it. The vocals of David Bayley on top of the resonating ethereal synth sound is a sensation you will not find anywhere else. The electronic drums, however, keep you from floating away entirely. You have something to grasp onto as you nod your head and sip on your hot beverage.
“Paradise” by Wild Nothing, off of their album, Nocturne.
Frankly, I think the synthesizer is the perfect instrument for winter. I think that should have become apparent in the past two songs.
When the bass enters the piece, you’re going to want to get up and shoegaze your life away. Do it. Get up with that hot chocolate in your hand and shuffle your feet to the groovy guitars and bass. There is something absolutely special about how this song swells in dynamic while Jack Tatum’s vocals remain dark and monotone. You’ll find yourself growling along with Tatum, mumbling, “Tell me once or twice / That love is paradise.” Best rhyming pair, ever.
“Vapour Trails” by Bag Raiders, off of their EP, Waterfalls.
Combine tenderness and emotion with pounding synth and bass and you’ll end up with “Vapour Trails.” This track is dripping in tropical sounds that will have you dreaming of a time where snow wasn’t covering the ground. Despite having the foundations of a high energy dance piece, “Vapour Trails” is gentle enough to have you wanting back that ex that you don’t even have. Think of this track as the “Hello” of the indie dance world.
“Future Visions” by FAVELA, off of their EP, Future Visions.
The synthesizers in this track swirl and halt as if this was the exact sound of snow being picked up by the wind and blown about. Favela’s voice is quiet and loaded with silent pain as he repeats, “When I think of future / All I want to see is you.”
I hit you with two emotionally-charged songs in your lonesome snowstorm stare-out. I apologize.
Despite the initial instrumental jerking about in the track, this track is smooth and easy on the ears. There’s simply nothing not to like about this chilled-out sound – and trust me, in the aftermath of the semester, you could do with some chilling out.
“The Fox In The Snow” by Belle & Sebastian, off of their record, If You’re Feeling Sinister.
If there’s anything the Scottish know lots about, it’s about poor weather and grey skies. It only makes sense that Glaswegian band Belle & Sebastian created the perfect snowstorm-watching track nearly effortlessly.
The piano falls softly upon your ears, much like snow on the grass outside. The middle section is bolstered with a quiet string section that flows freely into a section of warm acoustic guitar. Don’t even get me started on Stuart Murdoch’s voice – that soft voice is a gift from above.
“For Body And Kenzie” by Teen Daze, off of their album, All of Us, Together.
The opening organ sound makes this song nearly holy. Trust me, by the end of this track, you’ll be on your knees worshipping the Teen Daze god.
Too much?
The song’s beginning is nearly two minutes of humming organ noise until the upbeat drum magically appears. The middle of the track spawns an explosion of descending synth notes that are sharp against your ear yet wondrously melodic. They sparkly brightly despite the murky sound of the organ. The end of the track is a combination of the three different musical components and you’ll be left wondering where this track was your entire life.
“Deezy Daisy” (Oxford Remix) by Portland, off of Majestic Casual – Chapter 2.
There’s something wonderful about the gravely texture of Portland’s voice paired with the pure piano chords. While Portland commands that you’re going to “dance / go deezy daisy all night,” you could do just that, or perhaps you could curl into that ever-so-inviting blanket to watch the sun set behind the falling snow. It’s a very versatile piece.
“Beauty Above All” by Craft Spells, off of their record, Idle Labor.
It has always frustrated me that this song was the last on Idle Labor. It’s such a gem. If you thought Portland had a gravelly voice, Justin Vallesteros will give you a run for your money. Vallesteros’ voice is an emotional drone layered on top of a bright guitar melody. Somehow, Craft Spells manages to simultaneously break your heart and give you hope for a brighter future. Perhaps one where it’s 80 degrees and you can see the green grass.
As the day comes to a close, so must the playlist. You can listen to this playlist below via Spotify.
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