Special Issue: Winter Playlist
A playlist perfect for snowy walks, plus a bonus Christmas mix!
It’s time for the last seasonal playlist of the year, and it’s a good one. As you know by now, each season I make a playlist to capture its essence, consisting of new songs that I’ve been gathering throughout the year—like a time capsule. I approach it like making an “old school” cassette mix tape with a beginning, middle and end—a side-a and a side-b. They are highly-curated, obsessively-crafted, multi-genre playlists. (This one is a bit less diverse—I’ll talk about that in a minute.) You can go back and read my summer playlist issue here to get an idea of just how geeky I am about them. I pay attention to the songs’ keys, their energy levels, and bpms to create a close-to-seamless set of songs that flows well. (It’s meant to be played in order). And, as always, I live by one crucial rule for my playlists: bangers only.
The theme of the Winter playlist is “a day of walking in the snow—from sunrise to sunset.” (Yes, that’s a lot of walking. It’s okay, you take breaks). There are various landmarks that you will pass through on your walk: a quiet town, a lemon field, a cemetery (you’ll know when you get there), ending up at an empty cathedral for the last light of day. The vibe, as my partner described it, is “slow and moody.” But, like, not too slow and not too moody. There’s a lot of softness and I tried to interject some snowy, twinkly sounds wherever I could. As the sun sets throughout the “day” in this playlist, the songs generally get richer, fuller, and deeper in sound.
While most of my playlists are diverse with many different genres, this one is the most cohesive, and I would categorize most of the playlist as “soft alternative.” I had a laser-focus for this playlist. I wanted a specific story and specific feelings. I wanted to convey the feelings of emptiness that winter holds using themes like grief and loss and letting go (without being too depressing), but I also wanted to capture its beauty. Yes, winter is the result of loss but it also provides a blank slate and the anticipation of a new beginning. As King Princess sings on the fourth track, “winter is hopeful.”
If you want to read my geeky annotations about my favorite songs on the playlist and why I chose them, keep reading. Otherwise I dropped the links for the playlist (Spotify and Apple Music) below. And if you’re strictly in a “December is for Christmas music only” kind of mood, I have a bonus Christmas music playlist for you at the end of this issue. If you give either a listen, let me know what you think in the comments. Stay warm and stay hopeful.
Spotify:
Apple Music Link
Want to go back and listen to all of this year’s seasonal playlists? You can find them on my Spotify profile here or my Apple Music profile here.
Playlist annotations
Weather Alive - Beth Orton
I took some risks making this playlist and the first and biggest one is the opening track. It’s seven minutes long but it’s so lovely and romantic it doesn’t feel that long. (There are quite a few other songs that take their time, but they’re all worth it.) I had no opener in mind when I went to make this playlist until this song fell into my lap a few days ago when I listened to Orton’s album for the first time. It was perfect. It starts us off outside at sunrise and sets a feeling, “almost makes me wanna cry, the weather’s so beautiful outside.” I imagine emerging from my home into a still and sparkling landscape of snow.
Weird Goodbyes - The National feat. Bon Iver
Hot collab alert! I love this song so much. When Matt Berninger sings “the grief it gets me”—it gets me! It’s emotional but has this really crisp sound that makes you feel without dwelling too much. Does that make sense?
Year of Sky - Jenny Hval / First to Love - Maia Friedman
This is a nice bright and sparkly section. It’s happy and optimistic and full of life. There are a lot of auditory treasures in “Year of Sky” in particular—give it a close listen. Both of these songs come off of really gorgeous albums. If you like their vibe, I recommend checking them out. Classic Objects (Jenny Hval); Under the New Light (Maia Friedman)
I Felt a Funeral, in my Brain - Andrew Bird feat. PHOEBE FUCKING BRIDGERS
The hot collabs got hotter! Emily Dickinson is perhaps my favorite poet (I have a line of her poetry tattooed on my arm) so when I saw that Bird and Bridgers turned it into a song I lost my goddamn mind and texted everyone about it immediately. This is the point in the “snow walk” where you reach the cemetery—if that isn’t apparent. It pairs nicely (and intentionally) with the next song “memory.”
Unpeopled Space - Daniel Rossen
This is the point where we make jump from 0 to 70 mph. Most of the playlist is very low energy. “memory” is a 1/10 on the energy scale—this is a 7. It infuses some life without feeling too jolting, hopefully. It’s the link between the A-side and the B-side of the playlist. It bridges the more acoustic sound in the first half to the generally fuller, richer sound in the second half. It’s also one out of the only two minor key songs on the playlist (the next track, “Blackhole,” is the other one), as I wanted to keep from staying in too dark of a place.
Cannibal - Marcus Mumford
WARNING: This song has a loud part! I might have made things worse by telling you that because you’ll be anticipating it now. It’s big, it’s bold. It’s beautiful and emotional. I hope you love it and that it doesn’t scare the shit out of you. Maybe just stay sitting down for this one.
Life According To Raechel - Madison Cunningham
This is one of the most beautiful songs of this year. I had the hardest time finding the right spot for it—it almost didn’t make the cut. It was originally going to go behind “I felt a Funeral…” and “memory” but it was too much of the same feeling. I think it ended up working out after “Mission.” It’s kind of one last reminiscing/mourning thought before the resolution found in “Oh My God” and “God Turn Me Into a Flower.”
Oh My God - Shannen Moser / God Turn Me Into a Flower - Weyes Blood
The playlist and the “walk” end in a slightly spiritual space (not a religious place). “Oh My God” represents a freedom, peace, and acceptance (although a little tongue and cheek). “God Turn Me Into a Flower” is a plea for renewal amidst loss and desolation—softness amidst the biting coldness of winter. It is a hope for the spring ahead—a hope that not only will life start again, but that we’ll find it within ourselves.
For anyone who’s interested, here’s the end result of the playlist—with all of the songs’ notecards containing their relevant information laid out in order. If you have no idea what any of this means, go here.
What songs remind you of winter? Let me know in the comments.
White Elephant Christmas Mix
This playlist started as a CD I burned for a White Elephant Christmas party gift. It’s a collection of my favorite alternative Christmas songs that I’ve added to over the years. It’s short, but if you put it on the infinite play mode (or whatever it’s called on Spotify), I bet you’d get some great additions. What are your favorite quirky Christmas songs? Let me know in the comments.
Spotify:
Apple Music link
That’s all until after Christmas! I’ll be sending out my Best of 2022 issue December 30th. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it. Until then, I wish everyone safe and happy holidays!