SOLAR FLARE | The Endless Winter
Punxsutawney Phil’s verdict is out: The famous groundhog has predicted six more weeks of winter! This might not be what we Cornellians wanted to hear. Winter has already been brutal enough, after all, but at least we will get six more weeks of tripping over maintenance signs! With the weather in mind, I’ve put together a couple of songs that fit the vibe of Cornell’s seemingly perennial theme: the endless winter.
- Blood Orange, A$AP Rocky, Project Pat: “Chewing Gum”
In my humble opinion, A$AP’s best feature. But more than that, a near-perfect song for night driving or walking, something we all are used to when the sun sets at 5 p.m. Seriously though, if you haven’t listened to this, go do it.
- MGMT: “When You Die”
While not what most people think of when they think “MGMT,” “When You Die” still had all the usual MGMT fixings, engaging production, catchy vocals and a unique ability to capture your mood. In this case, more tailored to the slightly somber tines of a Cornell winter.
- Men I Trust: “Show Me How”
Yes, it’s their most popular song, I know. “Show Me How” is simply perfect, and it’s a must on a winter playlist, end of story.
- Cocteau Twins: “Know Who You Are At Every Age”
“Know Who You Are At Every Age” is characteristic of the Cocteau Twins. Dreamy and atmospheric, it envelops any listener in ethereal vocals and shimmering guitar textures, making it a perfect companion for winter’s quiet introspection. Its layered soundscape is incredibly complex without sounding overwhelming and gives the song a resonance which I find magical.
- Suzanne Vega, DNA: “Tom’s Diner”
This song might be the perfect encapsulation of the feeling one gets walking through the snow to the library, knowing you have too much work to do. Good luck to everyone with prelims this week…
- The Brian Jonestown Massacre: “Anemone”
“Anemone” is a brilliant melding of late ’60s psychedelia and ’90s shoegaze. Its soothing vocals are opposed to the measured and somewhat unsettling guitar, leaving the song quite precariously balanced. As one of its first lyrics says, “I think I know how I feel,” I feel cold, very cold.
- Dream, Ivory: “welcome and goodbye”
Assuming those previously mentioned prelims don’t pan out as well as you’d hoped, Dream, Ivory’s “welcome and goodbye” can help. The stunningly beautiful vocals of Christian and Louie Baello offer a respite from the cold and the work, aided by the floaty and resonant guitar. If you like this one, definitely check out the rest of their stuff. It’s all the same vibe, and it’s amazing.
- Talking Heads: “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)”
Not quite in keeping with the sad playlist I seem to have constructed, this classic from Talking Heads is just kind of fun. Give it a listen when you’ve finished the day of classes and unwind on your walk home.
- Beach House: “Norway”
As with anything Beach House puts out, “Norway” is impeccably well coordinated. It’s as if they asked the question: what’s the most calming sound we can make? And then this song appeared.
- Mac DeMarco: “On the Level”
Definitely one of my favorite Mac DeMarco songs. “On the Level” is a hazy synth-driven track with a hypnotic groove that feels like a warm escape from the winter cold. Its unmistakable and melancholic tones capture the stasis that cold weather seems to put on all of our lives.
- Frank Sinatra: “Blue Moon”
“Blue Moon” is a timeless Sinatra ballad. Its somber melody and longingly romantic lyrics evoke the quiet beauty and solitude of a cold winter night. Its solitude, which, while not always pleasant, is something unique to winter in such a place as Ithaca and something I think is justifiably romanticized.
James Palm is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. He can be reached at [email protected].
‘Solar Flare’ is a weekly playlist column where Sun contributors spotlight a slice of musical taste with the campus community. It runs every Monday.