Author: Sophie Gonzalez
As we are in the midst of the fall season and winter is around the corner, the fog is rolling out over the Olympic Mountains, and the days are getting darker and shorter. The cozy season is upon us in full swing. This means warm blankets, fuzzy socks, sweaters, and a warm cup of hot chocolate or tea—or you can never go wrong with a nice warm cup of apple cider.
These songs will help comfort and complement the cold, dark, and dreary dread. The stripped-back instrumentation, hushed vocals, and bedroom-recording vibe treat you like you are being wrapped in a warm blanket while watching the rain fall onto your window.
Track Spotlight
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Bug – Alix Paige
Bug by Alix Paige is a comforting track. The warm acoustics wrap the listener and invite them into a moment of serenity and comfort. These lyrics invite the listener to have a moment of self-reflection about how we view ourselves. This song is perfect for walking through the dark and foggy season with a warm, thick jacket and a warm cup of hot chocolate in hand. -
Big House on a Mountain – Annika Bennett
This song is perfect for looking at the Olympic Mountains from a window. Being warm and cozy with a large fluffy blanket, Annika Bennett takes the listener to her cozy universe with her guitar and overlapping vocals. The lyrics of this song yearn for stability and comfort. -
I Will Always Love You Alright – Nep
I Will Always Love You Alright is one of the more stripped-back and comforting tracks from Nep’s debut album Noelle. The song is about how love never fades—the undying and complicated love you feel toward your ex, wanting the best for them while acknowledging you cannot be in their life. I have yet to listen to it without a tear coming to my eye. The lyrics are soft and melodic, with production by Nep’s best friend, Jake Sonderman. The production and lyrics come together to create a perfect and cozy track. -
Know You – Kevin Atwater
This is Kevin Atwater’s most recent release. With subtle drums, accompanying guitar, and overlapping vocals, this song is perfect for a foggy morning. I recommend listening to this track while creating a soulful breakfast with a light candle. This is the perfect cozy song to listen to while looking out the kitchen window and creating a warm stack of pancakes that will warm your soul. -
I Still Check Your Playlists – Abby Powledge
This song is about checking someone’s playlists—about how this person does not account for the lyrics and rawness that music provides. Abby Powledge and her guitar are a duo that cannot be underestimated. The overlapping vocals in tandem with the lyrics provide a gut-punching effect. This song is perfect for the cozy season. The beauty of Abby’s vocals and her stunning lyrics are made for sitting in front of the heater with a warm tea in hand. -
Same Vine – slimdan
slimdan’s most recent track is dedicated to his newborn son. This song is not only for parents—the lyrics provide a reflection on growing up and the generations of ancestors and people behind a single person. This track is just slimdan and his piano. This subtle combination of simplicity is perfect for walking through the cold to your next class with a warm caramel latte in hand. -
I Have More Than Enough – Searows
This is not the only track that Searows has released that is perfect for the Pacific Northwest fall and winter seasons. Being from Portland, Oregon is perfectly reflected in his music. I Have More Than Enough is about being satisfied with what you have. The mention of crows in the opening line is perfectly reflective of Pacific Northwest city life, as crows can be seen everywhere and are associated with the cold and gloomy months. -
Company – Amos Heart
Amos Heart is an artist from Portland, Oregon. I first saw him when he opened for Searows a year or two ago, and I instantly fell in love with his music. Company is definitely my favorite song he has released. Hearing it live for the first time at the concert venue The Old Church was a magical and surreal experience. It was a dark autumn night, and Company filled The Old Church and every single soul that heard it live. Amos Heart’s vocals live are anotherworldly—he belted while playing his acoustic guitar. This simplistic combination is a perfect track that will fill and provide all the warmth needed for these dark, foggy, and gloomy months. -
You Missed My Heart – Phoebe Bridgers
It wouldn’t be a list of songs to get you through the fall and winter months if I did not mention a track from Phoebe Bridgers’ debut album Stranger in the Alps. You Missed My Heart is one of my favorites from the album. The lyrics provide a storyline that the listener can easily follow along with. In combination with Phoebe’s overlapping vocals and the simple instruments that accompany her, this track is a staple in the cozy-season rotation. -
59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) – Simon & Garfunkel
This is the oldest song on this blog post but is a perfect fit for the cozy season. The vocals of this track provide the same feeling as seeing Christmas lights in the dark. The perfect warm and cozy drink for this track is a warm apple cider. It has beautiful string instruments that give the listener an unexpected moment in the song, followed by the simple beauty of an acoustic guitar. The combination of instruments is an odd yet beautiful pairing. In general, this song is perfect for cozying up with loved ones and feeling the homey comfort that friends or family provide.
Sophie Gonzalez | Music Reporter