As autumn comes to a close, we prepare ourselves for the Long Winter ahead of us. Our minds are still mushed from finals, the shock of returning to a seeming normality to relax us from school, and the sudden changes in weather to mark the shifting seasons. Yes, the Long Winter is upon us. For me, the best way to get through the melancholy and nostalgia-filled time of cloudy skies and hot cocoa marshmallows is a soundtrack complementary to the mood. Here are my 10 Alternative songs for the Long Winter.
1. Yer Fall - Hey Rosetta!
To start the list off, why not include an autumnal piece? Yer Fall is Hey Rosetta!'s masterpiece, in my opinion. This epic tale of love lost is the perfect companion to the shifting colors and skies of the transition from autumn to winter.
2. Your Ex Lover Is Dead - Stars
Canadian indie band Stars delivers a melody and story so heart-achingly beautiful it has become a winter-time favorite of mine. And with a music video reminiscent of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, what isn't there to love about this masterpiece?
3. Golden October - All The Luck In The World
Irish indie group All The Luck In The World is back with their second album dropping in February. This bad boy was released as a sneak-peek, and it does not fail to deliver the subtle chills and sadness that made their first album so special.
4. Flume - Bon Iver
Ah, yes. The king of melancholy himself. This is my second favorite song from "For Emma, Forever Ago," but is, in my opinion, the most wintry of the album.
5. Death With Dignity - Sufjan Stevens
Considered to be Stevens' magnum opus, "Carrie & Lowell" is an album dripping with quiet, fogged-up-mirror vibes. "Death With Dignity" is the perfect sampler for what's inside.
6. In The Water - Anadel
Another song on the quiet-side, "In the Water" is the perfect nostalgic soundtrack for a long car ride on a cold morning.
7. Mt. Washington - Local Natives
The escalations of "Mt. Washington" are enough to evoke movie-like montages in your mind the more you listen to it. This one is also a great car-ride piece to listen to during your travels this winter.
8. Alaskans - Volcano Choir
I had to include some Bon Iver again, didn't I? Even though our beloved Justin Vernon is not the sole driving force behind this band, this song still delivers epic, poetic verses and motifs that will help calm your mind after the stress of the holiday season.
9. City Talks - Syd Matters
When the winter's beginning to feel a little long, give this one a listen. Jonathan Morali's lyrics and music look forward, towards the hope of what comes next. Spring is almost here.
10. The First Days of Spring - Noah and the Whale
And then, spring has arrived. The title piece from Noah and the Whale's masterpiece is one of my favorite songs of all time, and my favorite piece to listen to each spring (spring comes after winter, doesn't it? Of course I had to conclude this with a spring song!) Reminding us of the long winter you just survived, "The First Days of Spring" hits you with its rich harmonies, piercing violins, and expertly formulated build-up.
You look back at the chills, the quiet fogged-up mirror moments, the long car rides, and you begin to feel nostalgic. The melancholy of the wintry months has gotten to you, but spring is here, and you're ready to move on until the next Long Winter arrives.
