While roaming city post holiday season, it’s hard to escape the lackluster feelings of melancholia and the unpleasantness of the frigid ambiance of winter. Unless you’re fortunate enough to catch the tease of sunlight before 5 p.m., the day will be mostly clouds of gray and black, with a sprinkle of snow or sleet to top it off.
Although many of us would prefer to shield ourselves from the harshness of nature with the comforts of Netflix, complemented with a Snuggie and hot cocoa, the necessity to venture outside for work, errands or the call of an adventure will present itself. To keep your spirit motivated and suicide-evasive during these darker times of the year, here’s a list of upbeat and catchy tracks to kindle and coax your inner self’s flame.
“Friday Night” – The Last Royals (2012)
Fresh of the three song sampler released last year, The Last Royals’ indie pop sounds are ideal for countering the winter chill. With catchy synth hooks and candied guitar riffs, “Friday Night” itself seems to capture the sensation of sunlight kissing your face with its warmth.
“Time For Heroes” – The Libertines (2002)
When walking around the city on a bitingly cold day, sometimes a little garage rock is all you’re craving. Something about the raw distorted guitar sounds and bittersweet vibe of Doherty and Barat’s back-and-forth vocals does the trick, making overbearing architecture of shoddy buildings crunched together on slush-covered streets a visual treat.
“All Of Me” – Tanlines (2012)
This track will kick you out of the static from winter blues. Tanlines, known for its trademark tropical sounds, amp up the feel with a Caribbean-esque synth solo and steel drum beats. The track screams “island-themed get-together” for you and a few friends. You know, as opposed to encouraging you to loaf around for the entire weekend alone. On the couch again. Drinking Earl Grey tea and watching Doctor Who.
“A-Punk” – Vampire Weekend (2008)
Amidst the airy but accented guitar strums and Ezra Koenig’s punctuated wails on “A-Punk,” its hard to avoid the slight curl of a lip at the absolute absurdity of the song’ lyrics and Afro-pop sounds, even if you’re caught between teeth-chattering winds and below freezing temperatures. Coincidentally, the video for the track briefly features the band members in a wintery setting. All bundled up in beanies and scarves, the band energetically plays on against the flurry of paper-looking snow flakes.
“Daylight” – Matt And Kim (2009)
As the song title might allow you to infer, “Daylight” soaks your ears in the happy-go-lucky indie pop warmth found on many Matt & Kim tracks. The clanking keyboard melody heard throughout the track alongside the chorus’ crescendo of vocals practically rips off your bedsheets and takes your laziness with them before giving you a swift kick of the energy needed to combat the snowstorm that lies between you and the traverse to your office.
