We’ve reached the time of year when the majority of Christmas music has become overplayed and many listeners are searching for music that feels like winter without being overtly holiday-centric. Below is a curated list of the best non-Christmas winter albums and songs.
“Being Funny In A Foreign Language” by The 1975
This entire album is incredible, but there are three songs that are perfect for the winter season. The first is “Wintering”—an entertaining, humorous track about a dysfunctional family Christmas. The lyrics are full of banter between family members and lead singer Matty Healy’s humorous descriptions of each one of them.
“About You” is the next wintery track, with floaty, echoing vocals between two singers. Healy repeats the line “Do you think I have forgotten? // Do you think I have forgotten about you?” over swarming synths, saxophones, strings and faint vocals. If you are a fan of classical instruments in pop music, then this is the song for you. After much speculation, it was revealed that Carly Holt, the wife of guitarist Adam Hann, was the mystery singer in the bridge.
“When We Are Together” is, in my opinion, one of the best songs on the album. Healy yearns over a past love while telling a story of their relationship. Between witty lines and rhymes in the verses, the chorus ends with a confession that “the only time I feel like I might get better // is when we are together.” The lyrics are the forefront of the production, simply accompanied by stripped-back drums and acoustic guitars.
“evermore” by Taylor Swift
One of the greatest winter albums of all time, Taylor Swift’s “evermore” alludes to Christmas and the holidays often, but not as an overarching idea— the perfect way to scratch the holiday music itch without getting sick of it.
“tis the damn season” is probably the most prominent example of this theme, giving a sarcastic twist to the usually uplifting phrase, “‘tis the season.” The song is about coming home for the holidays and reminiscing on past loves. “You could call me babe for the weekend,” Swift confesses over a clean, almost haunting electric guitar.
“champagne problems” is the next song, telling a story of a painful breakup. When Swift released the album, she stated that the song is about a couple who “had very different plans for the same night, one to end it and one who brought a ring.” Swift wittily references the famous Christmas carol when she sings: “soon they’ll have the nerve to deck the halls that we once walked through.”
“Sling” by Clairo
When Clairo released her second album in 2021, many fans were shocked to hear such a change from her previous work. Her debut album was full of synth-pop romantic songs about her adolescence, but “Sling” was a complete reversal from that. This album is very mellow and comforting, being mostly stripped back on either acoustic guitar or piano, with subtle strings in the background.
Written at the beginning of the COVID-19 quarantine, when songwriter Claire Cotrill was spending time with her mother, “Sling” has themes of motherhood and coming-of-age. While there aren’t any references to the holidays, this album feels like curling up in a winter cabin with a cup of hot tea, truly perfect for the winter season.
“Winterbreak” by MUNA
This synth-pop ballad is about a love that “you can’t reconcile.” The verses walk you through vivid imagery of this on-again, off-again relationship, before reaching the heartbreakingly beautiful chorus. Songwriter Katie Gavin confesses: “I think we both know // This is the love that we won’t get right // Still if you said that you want it // I know I’ll always have one more try.” Despite all the pain that this person has put her through, she still loves them enough to try again.
This song has no explicit ties to the holidays except, of course, the line referencing the title: “I haven’t seen you since last Winter Break.” The tender, confessional lyrics give a chilling feeling to the song that fits perfectly in any winter playlist.
“White Winter Hymnal” by Fleet Foxes
This short but sweet indie folk song is an easy listen– if you don’t pay too much attention to the lyrics. The otherwise upbeat, comforting tune has an ominous storyline that even the band members believe is “lyrically, fairly meaningless.” The song builds on one melodic line and slowly adds in harmonies, tambourine, acoustic guitar and other subtle instruments. This song feels like a sunny winter day and is a perfect uplifting winter tune.
“Emily I’m Sorry” by boygenius
This song, released in January 2023, was one of three lead singles to announce boygenius’ comeback. After taking a hiatus as a band to focus on each of their individual projects, Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus shocked fans with the release of “Emily I’m Sorry” and two accompanying songs. This song, in particular, is perfect for the winter season. From the first strum of acoustic guitar, the song has a chilling touch to it that feels like driving down a winding, snowy road. The reverberated drums in the background give the song a dreamlike, hazy effect.
Written and sung by Phoebe Bridgers, this song is about losing yourself in a relationship. “I can feel myself becoming someone only you could want,” she confessed. This line later changes to: “somebody I’m not.” The narrator doesn’t know who they are without this person, because they’ve changed so much in the relationship. This song, while heartbreaking, is very mellow and calming to listen to during the colder months of the year.
