Summary

The article provides a curated list of 10 soothing songs to help ease the winter blues, featuring a mix of indie, soul, country, and pop tunes.

Abstract

The article "10 Songs To Soothe Your Soul This Winter" offers a musical escape for those feeling the weight of the season, especially during challenging times such as a pandemic. It thoughtfully selects songs from various genres that are intended to uplift, relax, and provide comfort. The author shares personal reflections on each track, highlighting the unique qualities that make them suitable for different moments, from a solitary walk to a morning routine. The list includes artists like Chartreuse, Laura Marling, Chris Stapleton, London Grammar, Matt Maltese, Raveena, Celeste, Sam Fender, Tash Sultana, and Michael Kiwanuka. Each song is paired with a YouTube link for immediate listening and a recommendation for the best time to enjoy it. The article concludes with an invitation to explore the full playlist on Spotify.

Opinions

The author believes that music can be a source of comfort and solace during the winter season, especially when faced with additional stressors like a pandemic.
Chartreuse is predicted to become famous due to their blend of soul, jazz, indie, and relaxing vibes, along with velvety-soft vocal tones.
Laura Marling's "A Song For Our Daughter" is praised for its relaxing qualities and country charm, making it suitable for evening work.
"Cold" by Chris Stapleton is noted for its simplicity and soulful delivery, despite the author not typically being a country music listener.
London Grammar's "Baby It’s You" is described as uplifting with its upbeat tempo and twinkly synths.
Matt Maltese's "Nightclub Love" is appreciated for its retro feel and charming lyrics that can bring a smile to the listener's face.
Raveena's "If Only" is highlighted for its laidback soul vibe and lush harmonies, ideal for zoning out and relaxing.
Celeste's "Both Sides of The Moon" is considered an underestimated track that speaks to the soul with its hazy guitar and relaxed beat.
Sam Fender's rendition of "Winter Song" is commended for its raw lyrics and vocal talent, encouraging listeners to reflect on serious issues.
Tash Sultana's "Can’t Buy Happiness" is celebrated for its impressive vocal range and soulful guitar moments.
Michael Kiwanuka's "Love and Hate" is recommended for its extended playtime, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in the song's ebbs and flows, culminating in a satisfying guitar solo.
The author suggests that these songs can provide a comforting soundtrack for various activities and moods, from walking in the woods to driving with a clear head.

10 Songs To Soothe Your Soul This Winter

And leave you feeling a little less meh.

Winter can often be a difficult time for many of us. Every year we are reminded of how short the days are and just how long it can really feel. Add on the stress of a pandemic and it’s enough to make you want to curl into your sheets and not come out until spring.

Whether you’re like me, stuck in a third UK lockdown, or experiencing a turbulent time across the pond, or just in need of a big old hug, then this is for you. I’ve carefully curated a list of 10 songs that will soothe your soul this winter.

1. Midnight Oil — Chartreuse

Chartreuse are an indie-soul band from the UK and mark my words they’ll be famous. They’ve mixed elements of soul, jazz, indie and just generally relaxing vibes into their sound. Add to that the velvety-soft tones of the lead singers and you’re onto a winner. ‘Midnight Oil’ is a song I have on repeat and showcases some beautifully reverbed guitar, swung beats and simple harmonies. The lofty atmosphere will allow your mind to escape for a full 4 minutes and 10 seconds.

When to listen: I recommend taking this one for a long amble as the winter sun is setting.

2. A Song For Our Daughter — Laura Marling

Laura Marling is a favourite of mine and always a go-to for some relaxing music while working. She’s hit the nail on the head here again with this song displaying hints of country charm incorporating a delicate bass riff and luscious harmonies. Moreover, the melodic strings are really what tie the whole thing together and, for me, represent the idea of childlike purity that she tries to encapsulate in the song.

When to listen: This is a great track for getting some evening work done.

3. Cold — Chris Stapleton

Now, I’m not really a Country listener but I came across this one when trying to find a playlist to appease both my brother and me. The simplicity of the chords and lyrics really allow for the core message of the song to be heard. It’s full of soul, full of heartbreak, soaring violins and a juicy guitar solo — what more can you ask for? It’s really one of those songs that makes you nod to the beat and pull your “damn-that’s-good” face.

When to listen: A great song to storm out of the house to or revel in that break-up.

4. Baby It’s You — London Grammar

London Grammar have been gracing us with their presence for years and their newest releases are no short of just bloody great. ‘Baby It’s You’ will soothe your soul in a more positive and spiritual way. It’s upbeat, featuring some twinkly arpeggiated synths and their trademark atmospheric reverb. The repetition and simplicity of the chorus lyrics (“you, baby it’s you”) are what really warm your heart and leave you feeling more uplifted.

When to listen: Take this one for a run when you need to clear your head.

5. Nightclub Love— Matt Maltese

Matt Maltese’s songs tend to encapsulate a more retro, relaxed feel to them, and ‘Nightclub Love’ will leave you with a little smile on your face. A lot of his songs, as I interpret them, focus on lost loves or relationships but this one is a charming story of meeting someone in a nightclub. The sweetly innocent piano melody is juxtaposed with some interesting lyrics about how cranberry juice is “good for your bladder”. It just makes you chuckle and that certainly is good for the soul.

When to listen: When you’re getting ready in the morning, you’ll be singing along to the chorus repeatedly.

6. If Only — Raveena

This song is the epitome of laidback soul: from the chilled beats, to the dreamy keys and tantalising bass — it has everything. Raveena’s soft, sultry vocals and lush harmonies really just round it out and melt into the song. I’ve had this one on repeat when I’ve just needed to zone out and it always leaves feeling better.

When to listen: Play this first thing when you’re making your morning coffee.

7. Both Sides of The Moon — Celeste

Despite Covid-19, Celeste had a very successful year being named BBC Artist of 2020 and the voice of John Lewis’s 2020 Christmas advert (a very high honour for non-UK readers). This song, I believe, is one her most underestimated. She’s known for her hits like ‘Stop This Flame’ and ‘Strange’ but this song, with its’ hazy guitar, relaxed beat and celestial keys just speaks to the soul on a deeper level.

When to listen: This is definitely one to play whilst sitting by the window and just watching the rain fall.

8. Winter Song — Sam Fender

South Shields-born singer Sam Fender has been on our radars for the past couple of years and his presence is only growing stronger. Originally written by Lindisfarne, ‘Winter Song’ is lyrically raw, touching on subjects that are still relevant today. Sam really makes this his own and shows off his vocal talent, with his beautiful tenor pipes. The way in which he sings it just shows how much these issues mean to him and how much he wants his listeners to really stop and think.

When to listen: I firmly believe crying is good for the soul, so just play this one and let it all out.

9. Can’t Buy Happiness — Tash Sultana

Is there any note that this woman can’t hit? This song includes her trademark reverbed vocals, which just soar at all octaves and further incorporates some soulful guitar moments, making you feel warm inside. Stick around for 1 minute 58 seconds, when everything kicks in and is just a magical moment for your ears. This song will have you playing it on repeat just for that one crash of instruments.

When to listen: I’d take this one on a walk to the wintery woods, to do a bit of soul searching.

10. Love and Hate — Michael Kiwanuka

To be honest, pretty much any of Michael Kiwanuka’s songs will feed your soul but ‘Love and Hate’ is one I regularly return to. Kiwanuka is the King of intro’s and outro’s and is the reason I’m closing out with this one. You can truly enjoy this song for the full 7 minutes and 7 seconds and experience the ebbs and flows with him. He unapologetically takes his time with it and your patience is rewarded in the latter half with a scrumptious guitar solo, dreamy strings and emphatic piano.

When to listen: This is definitely one to take on a drive when you need to clear your head.

I hope these songs speak to you in the same way as they do to me. You can find all these songs together on my Spotify playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6deto8Vbdlbdx2tAk38nz7?si=by1NjrkiQg2g9bPBV1wYlQ