I love making playlists for each season (sometimes even each month) to prevent boredom and discover new music. Just like the leaves beginning to fall in autumn and spring flowers blooming after a long winter, the first snowfall has a distinct feeling, and lots of artists create music that captures this vibe almost perfectly. I’ve put together a list of artists who encapsulate the first snowfall of the year through the beat, lyrics, and overall production of their songs, so you don’t have to go looking yourself!Â
Phoebe Bridgers
When it’s cold outside and nights are spent inside, mourning the high temperatures and sunshine, I firmly believe there is no better artist’s discography to play than Phoebe’s. She even has songs referencing winter in the title, such as “If We Make It Through December” and “Christmas Song,” both of which I’ve been waiting since October to start listening to. Some of her other songs make me want to stare out the window at the snow gently falling appear on her album Stranger in the Alps; some of my favorites being the classic “Scott Street” and “Smoke Signals.” If you suffer from seasonal depression and/or need a good cry, I highly recommend adding “Funeral” to your playlist.
Taylor Swift
Taylor has songs that match the vibe of each season. I love listening to Red when it starts getting cold out, after a long autumn of folklore. I was driving back from Toronto during the first snowfall last weekend, and the only song I could think to play to perfect the moment was “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).” The storytelling makes me want to cozy up in a huge plush chair under a blanket and read a classic book, the drama keeping me from drifting off to sleep. Also from Red, “Nothing New” featuring Phoebe Bridgers reminds me of drives to high school as January turned to February, getting lost in my thoughts as the sun tried to peek through the clouds.Â
Bon Iver
Bon Iver makes me wish I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, living in a cabin in the middle of a forest with endless time to explore nature and ponder. His soft voice and beautiful lyricism feel like a warm coat on a windy day. One of my goals for this winter is to explore his discography more, as I don’t know too much beyond his mainstream hits. Some of my current favorites include “evermore” featuring Taylor Swift, “Roslyn,” “Holocene,” and “Wash.”
The Cranberries
When I think of The Cranberries, I think of driving with my mom when I was little—she loves them just as much as I do, and she still gets excited when I queue their songs in the car. There’s magic in their voices, and the song “Linger” specifically reminds me of Christmases of the past, opening presents before going to my grandparents’. The entire Everyone Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? album packs so much nostalgia, it almost hurts. I may have to add the entire album to my winter playlist this year.
Clairo
This wouldn’t be a playlist curated by me without including Clairo, arguably my favorite artist. While most people know her from her rise to fame during the pandemic with her hits “Pretty Girl” and “Bags,” songs from her 2021 album Sling are essential for contemplation in the cold weather. I find myself in a focused, tranquil state while studying with this album, and the sound of cold wind outside completes the mood. Some of the most powerful songs on Sling are “Management,” “Harbor,” and “Blouse.” For a good rhythm that’ll stay in your head for days, I recommend “Amoeba.”