12 Songs to Feed your Winter Blues

It’s December. Mariah Carey has fully defrosted and the holiday season is in full swing. Holiday tunes are playing in every shopping mall and everything smells like pine and cinnamon. Something about this time of year makes you feel like you’re stuck in a snow globe; everything glitters just a bit more.

But let’s be real: not everyone feels festive all the time. And that’s okay! The holidays can stir up memories—some sweet, some bittersweet—and the pressure to feel joy can be exhausting when your heart just isn’t in it. Charlie Brown said it best: 

“I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel.”

For some, the shorter days and colder nights just bring about a sense of melancholy. And if that’s you, it’s perfectly fine to let the music meet you where you are. No matter where your winter blues take you, here is a playlist to remind you that it’s okay to feel everything—or nothing at all.

Click below to listen along as you read!

1) Scott Street by Phoebe Bridgers:

Starting off strong with Phoebe Bridgers and her devastatingly beautiful lyricism. Scott Street has melancholic lyrics and a deceptively chill vibe, making it just the song for staring out a frosty window and pretending you’re in an indie film about grief and dying relationships. 

2) Day After Tomorrow by Phoebe Bridgers:

Only Phoebe could take a Tom Waits cover and make it even sadder. This is the sonic equivalent of writing a letter to someone you’ll never send, with a mise en scéne of soft guitar and a biting winter breeze. Perfect for contemplating life while your hot cocoa goes cold.

3) It’ll All Work Out by Phoebe Bridgers:

(Promise this is the last Phoebe Bridgers song) In this delicate and slightly ironic ballad, Phoebe once again channels her signature blend of pensive sadness and comfort. Great for wallowing in seasonal angst—but with aesthetics. Spoiler: it might not all work out.

4) The Frost by Mitski:

Of course Mitski is on this list. Her haunting voice in The Frost carries emotions you might not even realize you’re feeling. This song is a vulnerable truth to be uncovered when you are feeling lonely and lost.

5) Silent Earth by Josephine Illingworth:

Minimalist and evocative, Silent Earth is a beautiful song about exploring and finding hidden places—both literally and metaphorically. 

6) Paul (2023 Remastered) by Big Thief:

Raw and poetic, Paul is the song you play when you’re thinking of someone you shouldn’t be, but can’t help yourself. Big Thief’s gentle and wistful lyrics make you feel like you’re holding onto an old scarf that still smells like them—equal parts comforting and heartbreaking.

7) Martingale by Searows:

Martingale is a song for lyrics lovers. Belonging, love, pain, and the cycle of life. If you’re feeling existential this winter, press play on a Searows playlist. 

8) Blue Catharsis by Them & I:

Winter, if anything, is fleeting. The day starts and ends before you have time to digest it, and Blue Catharsis captures that ephemeral feeling perfectly.

9) Big Black Car by Gregory Alan Isakov:

This one is a classic for anyone who likes their folk music with heartbreak and longing on the side. Isakov’s voice in Big Black Car is as warm and comforting as your car heater after a long, freezing day. Even if the lyrics hit you like a windshield full of icy rain. 

10) Sweet Heat Lightning by Gregory Alan Isakov:

This song is lightning in a bottle. Powerful, metaphorical, and somehow calming. Gregory Alan Isakov writes songs that are meant to be hummed along to.

11) Ends of the Earth by Lord Huron:

Will you come along with me? is what Lord Huron is trying to say between the sweeping instrumentals and yearning lyrics. This song is for the dreamers and wanderers, those who love a good tune and a good story. 

12) White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes:

This list wouldn’t be complete without White Winter Hymnal. If you get to the end of this playlist and to this song, you’ll find yourself feeling a bit less sad and a lot more hopeful. This uplifting, nostalgic, strangely visual song leaves you feeling warm. 

So, whether you’re feeling reflective, a little lost, or just in need of a musical hug, let these songs be the soundtrack to your winter blues!