While the arrival of March 2021 signifies the one year anniversary of You-Know-What, it also heralds the beginning of spring! Here in Victoria, the crocuses and daffodils have started to emerge, and the iconic cherry trees are in the early days of bloom. While we still have a few months of restrictions left, spring means less time inside, less seasonal depression, and most delightfully, the return of the sun.
So, without further ado, here are 10 recommendations to get you in the spring spirit!
- High as Hope by Florence + the Machine.
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After a deluge of heightened, wild misery and haunting vocals (“Hurricane Drunk” ring a bell for anyone?), Florence released this album in 2018 to much acclaim from me. While it’s perhaps less intense than prior albums, High as Hope celebrates growth and healing. While it has its heavy moments, this album feels like the first blooms of spring after a long, hard winter.
Recommended when… You’re feeling restless and want to stretch your hands to the sun.
- Emma (2020).
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The ridiculous, over-the-top pastels, the flowers, Anya Taylor-Joy… what’s not to love? Based on Jane Austen’s novel by the same name, this film truly captures the humour and dry wit of Austen’s prose while also being a delight to watch.
Recommended when… You have some pent up pining to work through or need some good old-fashioned escapism.
- The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater.
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In these books, a group of teenagers search for a dead Welsh king and run into all kinds of trouble along the way. I don’t want to spoil anything, but these books have it all: complex yet believable characters, a magical forest, a house full of psychic women, and more. Not to mention the atmosphere is perfect for spring.
Recommended when… You want to spend the afternoon in a sunbeam with a good book and accidentally surface sixteen hours later having read the whole series.
- Fleetwood Mac.
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Fleetwood Mac really has the dreamy, fun-but-still-soft thing down to a T. Highlights of course included “Dreams,” “Hold Me,” and “Everywhere.”
Recommended when… You’re on a drive with the windows down.
- Lovesick (2014-2018).
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This show is just good fun. A man in his late twenties has to contact all of his exes after discovering that he has chlamydia. The group dynamics in this show are delightful. Not to mention the English accents.
Recommended when… You’re warm and drowsy and want to doze off to good(ish) TV.
- The Wizard of Oz (1939).
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One of my favourite childhood movies, the original is a nostalgic, easy watch. The music is insanely catchy (to a fault), and the visuals are oversaturated and gorgeous. Not to mention that the movement from sepia to technicolour is perfect for spring.
Recommended when… You’re feeling homesick and need a distraction. Good for spring cleaning, as well, especially if you’re already familiar with it.
- The Princess Bride (1987).
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If this movie isn’t one of your favourites, you’re lying to yourself. Every single scene is a cinematic masterpiece. There is something unfalteringly hopeful about this movie, even in its darkest moments. And isn’t that what spring is all about?
Recommended when… You’re having a terrible, no good, very bad day.
- The Vegetarian by Han Kang.
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Unlike the other pieces on this list, The Vegetarian is dark and a little (okay, a lot) disturbing. Told in three parts, this novel opens with Yeong-hye, a South Korean woman who has a dream that convinces her not to eat meat anymore. This seemingly simple action has unintended consequences in all of her relationships, and the lives of her circle quickly unravel. There’s a lot of plant imagery, but the growth associated with greenery and spring is twisted in this novel.
Recommended when… You’re feeling at odds with the world.
- Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s paintings.
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While Rossetti (1828-1882) was also a poet, his paintings deserve a shout-out on this list. One of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, Rossetti paints in lush greens and reds, perfect for spring. Oh, to be one of the subjects; they all have great style.
Recommended when… The trees haven’t bloomed yet and you need a pop of colour.
- Hozier.
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Hozier’s first album is a masterpiece. While “Cherry Wine,” “In a Week,” and “Work Song” specifically are spring songs (sorry, I don’t make the rules), the whole album feels like a sunny afternoon after months of overcast grey. I want to give a special mention to “Run,” which I always forget about and always takes me by surprise when I listen to the album.
Recommended whenever. It’s always Hozier time.
As the days get longer, I hope these recommendations lift your spirits. Happy spring!