Cold Hands, Warm Heart: My Ultimate Seasonal Soundtrack

British Summertime is officially over. Rest in peace, I guess.

I don’t know about you, but this time of year is always a pivotal moment for my music taste. Like many, my moods change with the seasons which is naturally reflected in what I’m listening to. I find myself seeking comfort and familiarity from bands that I can always rely on.

So, I thought I’d share some of my alt autumn/winter staples that really set the tone and soften the blow of the seasonal change, and maybe inspire some of your playlists.

#1 - Alanis Morissette

90’s icon Alanis Morissette often makes an appearance in my playlists around autumn. I think it’s the brutality in her words and voice alike that replicates how so many of us feel when summer ends. Daylight is sparse, it’s harder to get out of bed in the morning, and niceties like summer flings at spontaneous beach trips are a thing of the past. Her songs are so raw and real, unpicking life through the lens of human weakness that disorientates us. For me, this notion alone makes me feel like a stronger person. And in the tougher times when it’s needed most. Alanis Morissette says yeah, shit happens, but you’ve gotta laugh it off sometimes. As put plainly on Jagged Little Pill “you live, you learn.”

Don’t sleep on Alanis. She might make your winter just a little bit easier.

#2 - Teenage Wrist

Funnily enough, I discovered Teenage Wrist last summer. A bit late to the party, I know. However, not only did their music provide me with some easy summer listening, but the way I interpreted its sound morphed with the seasons. Their songs went from ‘summertime sadness’ vibes to a mellow, warm winter soundtrack. Something about Teenage Wrist softened to me. And since then, I’ve kept going back for more.

Their first album Chrome Neon Jesus is my personal preference, but I am a sucker for a debut. August saw the release of their latest album Still Love and, while it doesn’t quite hit the same as their first, it maintains that moody yet optimistic sound that’s so perfect for this time of year.

"You brought me back with the magic harmonica!" – Jack Frost (1998)

#3 - Basement

It’s true to say that Basement’s music could masterfully soundtrack any time of year; it’s diverse in tempo, mode, and doesn’t thematically relate to a specific season. However, Basement just radiate autumnal vibes. Particularly the album Colourmeinkindness which they re-released in 2022 for its 10th anniversary. From the burnt orange cover to the moody, downtempo indie bangers, this album is a great one to have on while the leaves change colour, and the air equips itself with a biting frost.

As we move into the quieter months, I’d recommend the album’s gentler tracks Pine, Breathe, and Comfort.

#4 - Deftones

Honestly, I don’t think this needs much of an explanation. Feel free to challenge me here, but Deftones are an autumn/winter band through and through. Their music seems to capture a viscerally brooding sensation that looms over me as the cold creeps in, and I get so invested every time.

If you’re not familiar with Deftones, dive right into their earlier albums before anything else. Those are where their true sound is most prominent. It’s not absent in their recent works, but it’s heavily evolved and may be harder to stomach.

#5 - Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth have always been a favourite of mine, but for some reason I never find myself enjoying their music in the summer. Whether it’s because I truly got into them during the raging winter of c*vid, or how heavily their music is featured in wintery media, listening to them only ever feels right around this time of year. It’s introspective, angsty, oftentimes unpredictable, and almost always melancholic. All of those juicy feels that hit in the second half of the annum.

For recommendation, I’d have to go with their 2006 album Rather Ripped. It’s got a cool variation of laid-back rock, noisy punk, and slower-burning tunes that flow with the mundanity of current life. It’s just easy.

Other tracks I tend to get fixated on are I Love You Golden Blue and Starpower.

Feeling toasty yet?

There you have it – my autumn and winter soundtrack. Agree, disagree? Let me know in the comments, or message me over on Instagram. I'd love to hear some of your seasonal suggestions!