Author: Maya DeGuzman
Winter is not just a season, it is a feeling. These aren’t Christmas albums, but rather albums that I consider the hit incredibly different during the winter season.
Being Funny in a Foreign Language
The 1975
This album works as my yearly transition from autumn to winter. Released in 2022, Being Funny in a Foreign Language is fun and introspective, capturing the restless energy that I associate with winter days. Critics praised the album for tightening the band’s sound and highlighting their fundamentals, from pumping drums, 80s guitar, and irresistibly catchy hooks. About You is a magical track that makes me romanticize my life and imagine snow falling on a beautiful landscape, with Carly Holt’s vocals adding a delicate layer that completes this song. The eighth track, Wintering, was originally written as a Christmas song and lead singer Matty Healy described it as a series of Polaroids and snapshots of life that feel both personal and universal.
Among My Swan
Mazzy Star
The feeling of Among My Swan as a winter album comes from its signature dreamy, atmospheric sound, classic of Mazzy Star. Hope Sandoval’s ethereal vocals, haunting slide guitar, and slow, melancholic tempo throughout this album create a somber mood that mirrors the cold beauty of winter. Flowers in December perfectly captures a quiet yet reflective sadness while also being hazy and still. I think that all of Mazzy Star’s discography makes for perfect winter listening, but this album would be my top pick.
SMITHEREENS
Joji
Joji released his third studio album, SMITHEREENS, during the winter of 2022, and I remember listening to it on a night drive home. That, I think, is truly the best way to experience this album. Divided into two sections, the first features introspective ballads, while the second explores lo-fi, DIY sounds. My standout tracks are “Die For You” from the first section, which explores the difficulty of caring deeply for someone who seems happy without you, and “YUKON (INTERLUDE)” from the second, which captures the feeling of driving aimlessly with a low gaze, consumed by thoughts and uncertainty. The album’s melancholy mood makes it perfect for quiet winter nights spent reflecting on heartbreak or loneliness.
For Emma, Forever Ago
Bon Iver
For Emma, Forever Ago wasn’t just recorded in winter, but it sounds just like the season it came from. Alone in a remote hunting cabin in northern Wisconsin, Justin Vernon turned heartbreak and illness into something that feels like snow falling outside a frosted window. With only a few instruments and his voice, he created an album that makes listeners feel like they are in the same quiet, isolated world where it was written. My favorite tracks on this album would have to be Lump Sum and For Emma.
Kid A
Radiohead
The Kid A album cover, with its jagged, icy mountains and streaks of red, looks like a frozen wasteland. It reflects the album’s cold, distant, and unsettling sound. Created by Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke, the artwork captures both environmental decay and emotional isolation. This album reminds me of snow slush on the roads. Songs like Everything in Its Right Place and How To Disappear Completely echo the sounds of a strange winter.
Depression Cherry
Beach House
Depression Cherry by Beach House drifts like a soft winter haze. Victoria Legrand’s vocals slide over Alex Scally’s shimmering guitar and sparse, textured percussion, creating a mood that is blend of melancholy and beauty. Tracks like “PPP,” “Space Song,” and the closer “Days of Candy” move with the slow, fragile grace of the winter season.
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes’ 2008 debut is a winter classic. Its blend of folk, gospel, and psychedelic pop feels warm, perfect for slow mornings or quiet evenings. “White Winter Hymnal” is the standout track with its layered harmonies and timeless folk charm. Pair this album with a soft sweater and pine scent for the full experience.
A Matter of Time
Laufey
I believe that Laufey’s entire discography is perfect for any season, but her newest release is truly a spectacle for this winter. A Matter of Time takes the magical elements from her previous work and makes them even more theatrical. Tracks like “Carousel” and the interlude “Cuckoo Ballet” remind me of the whimsy and charm of The Nutcracker ballet, making the album feel like a musical wonderland.
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon and Garfunkel
Bridge Over Troubled Water was released in 1970 after Simon and Garfunkel had already built a string of successful albums. Some of the elements in this record, such as the backing vocals and the gospel-inspired title track remind me of the textures often found in winter or even Christmas music, giving it a warm, soulful edge. This album blends folk, gospel, and soft rock and makes me envision myself walking down chilly streets in a nice scarf and hat. My favorite track is “The Only Living Boy in New York.”
Maya DeGuzman | Music Reporter