As Iowa stays icy throughout the rest of winter, listening to music can make your extensive walk to class much more bearable. Although weather conditions are not ideal for a “brat summer” anymore, there is no reason to stop enjoying the club classics while bundled up in multiple layers. 

Here are a few song recommendations to help me, and hopefully you, survive the rest of winter.

“Glory of the Snow” – Clairo

Although this song was not chosen because of its winter-esque imagery, it is very fitting to add to this playlist. The title is in reference to Scilla luciliae, or “Lucile’s glory-of-the-snow,” a species of flowering plant that is able to bloom while there is still snow on the ground. Clairo plays with the plant’s symbolism in her songwriting to connect the idea of growing out of a time of stagnance into a more bright and colorful age. The song’s message is beautiful, and the production is just as stunning. Throughout the track and the rest of the album “Charm,” Clairo channels her love for 70’s songwriting and production, developing a very warm and cozy sound that instantly brings the listener comfort. 

“Oh Dove” – Men I Trust

This track off of the “Untourable Album” was named after the circumstances of being created during the pandemic, where live performances were prohibited. It provides a gorgeous ambient soundscape of retro synthesizers, dampened drums and wispy vocals, ultimately coming together to create a unique and vintage tone from the band. I love this band and album with all of my heart, and I truly recommend listening to it whenever you need a relaxing soundtrack to play while observing the winter landscapes on campus. 

“Sunshine Baby” – The Japanese House

I first discovered this track and band while listening to a “Discover Weekly” playlist made by Spotify during a car ride down to Florida for spring break last year. I definitely do not regret that I decided to listen to this song. The production of this song is mostly handled by The 1975 member George Daniels. It also includes vocals from another The 1975 member, Matty Healy. I would say the song is very bright and atmospheric. The Japanese House always includes beautiful chord progressions and lyrics in their work, and so the best way for me to describe this track is to tell you that it sounds exactly like what warm sunshine feels like. Every time the song comes on, I am instantly transported to a time when I sat under the warm sun on a beach, so this track will definitely help get you through the coldest days of the semester. 

“365” – Charli XCX

Speaking of George Daniels, Charli XCX’s fiancé and a major producer on this album, there is no way I could compile this list without including any of the bangers from Charli XCX’s album “BRAT.” This album, which inspired “brat summer” back in 2024, a cultural phenomenon derived from the feeling of living life in the boldest and brattiest way possible, will always instantly recharge me after a long day of classes and homework. “365” includes lots of bass-heavy, loud synthesizers and unique “hyperpop” vocal processing along with high-pitched vocal chops to recreate an infectious, energetic club ambiance. Whether you need a song to pump you up pre-exam, help you break your personal records at State Gym or need an anthem to help you strut down the icy sidewalks, “365” will be there for you. 

“Here’s Where the Story Ends” – The Sundays

Although this song is a complete 180 from the previous song, I felt like I needed to include it in this list simply because of the song’s vibe. I can’t quite put a finger on exactly what aspect of the song creates such a nostalgic feeling for me, whether it’s the jangle pop elements or the melancholic lyrics, but I can’t help but feel comforted by this song whenever it comes on. The comforting vibe this song exudes is what helps relax me whenever I’m stressed, and so this will definitely help during the tougher moments of the semester. 

“get well soon” – Ariana Grande

The final song on this list also happens to be the closing track of Ariana Grande’s 2018 album “Sweetener,” one of my top 3 favorite albums of all time. This song, produced by Ariana and Pharrell Williams, has an ethereal and light ambiance interrupted by harmonically-interesting R&B chords played on a piano. On brand with Ariana’s artistry and musical image, the song also includes lots of lush vocal stacks and harmonies, creating a choir-like atmosphere that belts out emotional lyrics relating to the idea of healing and growth. The song also features 40 seconds of silence at the end of the track, which serves not only as a chance for the listener to reflect on the themes of growth and healing in their own lives but was also added to the song as a tribute to the 22 people who were killed in the terrorist attack at Ariana’s concert in Manchester back in May 2017. Overall, this song is very inspirational and healing at its core, which is a mindset I think is important to have as we all transition from winter to spring.