The transition into spring from the cruel winter can feel like an exhale after holding your breath for months. Still, you don't know if you're going to wake up with blue skies, heavy downpour, or that lukewarm in-between that can't fully decide what it wants to be. With the unpredictability of April showers and the anticipation of high UVs, finding a fitting song can be hard. Here's a soundtrack for whatever's outside your window.
Vitamin D
That feeling that comes with the first real sunny day of spring is euphoric. It's like the world remembered how to be warm again. The jacket gets hung up. Windows cracked just enough to let the breeze in. Suddenly, every errand feels like an occasion.
Dance Yrself Clean - LCD Soundsystem
Don't Play - Jungle
Hey Big Eyes (George Clanton Remix) - Caroline Polachek
New Romance - Beach House
Few songs have a beat drop that justifies three minutes of buildup, but LCD Soundsystem's Dance Yrself Clean is one of them. This one feels like a memory of a night you never actually had and is definitely my favorite from this list. A modern classic that earns every second of its runtime.
These songs know exactly how this weather feels. Upbeat, airy, while still managing to maintain a mellow tone. They give you the embarrassing impulse to stick your hands out of the car's sunroof or spin in circles on the grass. Whichever temptation you feel, these songs are bound to make your spring feel warmer. Turn these on and find yourself never coming back inside.
Photo by The Liberal
Photo by Genius
Photo by Chicago Tribute
Photo by Genius
Puddle Season
Not every spring day is going to greet you with sunshine, and honestly, that's okay. Some days, the rain taps against the window while your plans quietly cancel themselves. You know flowers will bloom at some point, but for now, you just exist for a while. You have nowhere to be and nothing to do but slow down.
Live Well - Palace
Today - The Innocence Mission
Nothing Sweet - The Sundays
Win or Lose - Sam Dees
There's a quiet optimism to Live Well that makes it perfect for a rainy day. It doesn't try to pull you out of the slowness, but allows you to indulge in it. The upbeat atmosphere and tone turn the somber lyrics into a comforting feeling that I think only Palace can master.
These are the ones that make the rain feel like company. Cozy without being sleepy, soft without being sad. With these playing, you foster the warmth of Spring but embrace the introspection of cloudy skies. To me, hearing these feels like being wrapped in a cherished blanket from your childhood home.
Somewhere In Between
Some days, the sky is just there. Overcast and unbothered, cool but not cold. The sky is neutral, but so are you. The grey nothingness somehow makes moving through the world feel more cinematic, and that distant breeze makes your jacket feel like exactly the right choice. Separate from everything, it's like you're the only one who noticed how good the air smells today.
Feel No Pain - Sade
Put It On - Big L
Breakadawn - De La Soul
Police Scanner - Chanel Beads
Feel No Pain is the kind of song that makes you carry yourself differently. The beat is steady and bouncy, and the vocals sit effortlessly on top, making the track deeply melodic. Sade makes cool look easy because, for her, it probably is.
I feel like these songs are the sonic equivalent of a light jacket. When you play them, you can picture yourself sinking into a bean bag. They're cool without trying and immediately make you mellow out.
For Every Sky
Spring is unpredictable, and maybe that's what makes it worth paying attention to. If the sun pulled you outside, the rain kept you in, or the sky just couldn't make up its mind, there's a song for all of it. Whatever the sky decides tomorrow, you're ready for it. I've put all these songs into a Spotify playlist, so press play and let spring do the rest.
Photo by Sometimes Homemade
