Albums perfect for winter

After the holiday season, winter can seem daunting and a little bit of a mood killer. Music is something that keeps me going year-round, but especially during a season where it may feel like there isn’t much to look forward to. Aside from the obvious Christmas albums, there are quite a few albums I associate with the winter seasons, especially the January and February months. Here are a few recommendations for albums to listen to during winter!

“Good Riddance” by Gracie Abrams, who has gained recent attention for her opening performances at the Eras Tour, and her new album “The Secret of Us” is the ultimate winter album for me. I have been a huge fan of Abrams since the beginning of 2022. From the minute “Good Riddance” was released, I knew it would go down as a winter album for me. Of course, I listen to it during all seasons, but songs like “Full Machine,” “Right Now,” and “I Should Hate You” were made to be listened to in the snowy, cold weather. Abrams’ albums, previous to “The Secret of Us,” are beyond underrated and need to be listened to by more ears. 

“SOS” by SZA is another album that I turn to in the winter months. It was released in December 2022. “Ghost in the Machine,” a song from the album that features Phoebe Bridgers, another artist who has albums perfect for this season, is honestly the song I associate most with winter in general, even outside of “SOS.” It encapsulates the energy that the unsettling months of winter bring. “Blind” from the album is another track that remains on my winter playlist even two years later. The simple beat but powerful lyrics are perfect for dark winter days.

“Sling” by Clairo, a soft-sounding and devastating masterpiece, is basically built for winter. I think most people agree it is an album for the cold months. Even the album cover proves it, with snow peeking through in the background. Shockingly, this album came out in July 2021 but tracks like “Reaper,” “Harbor,” and “Bambi” are perfect for a winter day when you may be feeling sadness from the lack of sun and leaves. Clairo herself, from the “Genius” website, said this album includes lyrics that experiment with the ideas of  “motherhood, sexualization, mental health and a lot of my own mistakes and regrets.” This album is underrated compared to her others and winter lovers (or haters) will love it. 

“Who Really Cares” by TV Girl is an album that I feel could be geared toward those who struggle with seasonal depression or loneliness in the winter. It is such an addicting album that has been incredibly comforting to me in times when I have struggled. My favorite track is “Cigarettes out the Window” which has an ultimate winter vibe. This album reminds me of the night time in winter specifically. 

“Folklore” by none other than Taylor Swift is not only what I think is her best album but also her most wintery album. Some people argue that “Evermore” is more fitting for the winter months, but “Folklore” has consistently been my album for November through February since it came out. “Folklore” holds Swift’s best writing, in my opinion, and has some seriously addicting songs that are hard not to put on repeat. My personal favorites are “Cardigan,” “Hoax,” “My Tears Ricochet” and “The Last Great American Dynasty” but I believe “Folklore” is an album with no skips. I love playing it on my chilly morning walks to class as the wind makes tears fall from my eyes. 

“Ultraviolence” by Lana Del Rey is another album I find myself playing in January and February. Del Rey is an artist that I turn to every winter but “Ultraviolence” is her best album to me and the one that manages to get me through every winter season. Songs like “Black Beauty,” “West Coast,” “Sad Girl” and “Pretty When You Cry” are standouts for me from the album. Her beats take you in but the lyrics make the album an experience. 

This list wouldn’t be complete if I did not include the sensational album that is “Preacher’s Daughter” by Ethel Cain. This beautifully done concept album oozes winter energy and makes me think of the trees being bare and the grass being dead. “Preacher’s Daughter” is, in my opinion, one of the best albums of our generation. Coming out in May 2022, it holds some of the most haunting lyrics and best production I have ever heard. The most popular song from the album, “American Teenager,” does not even begin to describe how flawless this album is. My favorite song is “Gibson Girl” but others such as “Family Tree (Intro),” “Ptolemaea,” “Hard Times” and “Strangers” are equally as captivating. If you are listening for the first time, go in order of the tracklist to be able to hear the story of Ethel Cain’s life in full. Everyone should listen to this album in their lifetime.

Listening to music is a year-round hobby for many people, including myself, but certain music just makes more sense when you listen to it in the winter and these are some of the albums that make me feel that way. They all get me through my least favorite time of the year and make it easier to cope with the awful weather.