It’s too dangerous to wallow. Melancholy music for melancholy weather was a fun game to play in October, when everyone I know was praying for it to dip below 50 degrees so they could finally break out their newly-thrifted sweaters and order hot drinks at their coffee shop of choice. Now we are living in a different world. As I write this article, 26 mph gusts of wind are making the temperature—a whole 8 degrees—feel like minus 8. My favorite sweater is hidden under a 3-inch thick puffy coat and a hat, gloves and scarf. As I trudge to class through stinging sleet and snow I am not adding to my misery by listening to sad songs; instead, I am on damage control and blasting artificially cheerful tunes in my tinny, water-damaged airpods. While my particular struggles are surely unique, I am sure that I’m not the only student at this school who could use a more uplifting playlist this January. The following songs should fit the bill nicely.

“I’d Rather Go Blind” – Etta James

I wish I was one of those cool people whose taste in music transcends genres, but the most I venture away from new indie releases is to backtrack to the indie releases of the ’90s and 2000s. I listen to soul or blues pretty much never. It took my Spotify Discover Weekly playlist to introduce me to this wildly popular Etta James track, but now that I’ve heard it I’m obsessed. The song’s instrumentals—including organ, guitar and saxophone—are warm and mellow, but the lyrics, which (depending on the interpretation) mourn the loss of either a romantic partner or a child, are quite sad. It’s a combination I find rare in modern music, and a good match for the winter atmosphere.

“Only Love Can Break Your Heart” – Saint Etienne

Originally a “slow, sad waltz” released by Neil Young in 1970, the British band Saint Etienne reimagined “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” as a reggae-influenced dance hit. It’s synth-y, space-y and most of all, fun. There aren’t many songs that are both intense enough for the club and laid back enough for your living room, but this one manages to walk that line nicely.

“Pavement” – Mallrat

“Pavement” is another “clubby” hit, but unlike the former entry, it actually hails from this century—this past week, in fact. The verses by Australian indie artist Mallrat are nice, but the rhythm of the chorus, sampled from hip hop artist DJ Zirk’s “Born 2 Lose,” is downright addictive. Plus, it contrasts nicely against the ethereal vocals of the also sampled pre-chorus. I dare you not to dance along while listening. 

“Goodnight and Go” – Imogen Heap

Imogen Heap’s “Headlock” went viral on TikTok over break, which led me to discover more music from the English singer-songwriter, including “Goodnight and Go.” The song’s lyrics describe the “devastation of having a crush,” which I know more than a few college students can relate to. You may also recognize the melody and lyrics from Ariana Grande’s cover and remix, “goodnight n go.” And if you liked Grande’s lifeless, EDM-ified version, then you’ll love Heap’s. It’s bright, sweet and the keyboard riff that plays during the chorus is definitely magical.

“Thrown Down” – Fleetwood Mac

This song may be my best-kept secret. Its light, almost flowy guitar parts are reminiscent of ’80s Fleetwood Mac hits “Gypsy” and “Everywhere,” but because it’s from the band’s last studio album, it tends to fly under most people’s radar. The subject matter—Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham’s failed relationship—nor the sound are revolutionary, but I’m sure fans of the aforementioned tracks will delight in discovering another in a similar vein.

“It’s a Mirror” – Perfume Genius

A second brand-new indie release, this mellow rock track is steady and straightforward—a “muscular and direct sound,” as Pitchfork writes, until it slowly crescendos into a chaotic jumble of guitar. It’s a fitting representation of the mental health problems explored by the song’s lyrics. The music video, which features the artist drinking gasoline and straddling a Harley-Davidson, is also worth a watch.

“Reckoner” – Radiohead

I have to meet the weather where it’s at for just one song. I’ve been going through a Radiohead phase for the past three months and this is by far my favorite song by the band. Like the month of January, “Reckoner” is bleak and stripped down, but also extraordinarily beautiful. The off-kilter drums—Pitchfork actually writes “frosty, clanging percussion” if you needed more evidence of a wintry theme emerging—alongside bare bones guitar, sparse piano chords and Thom Yorke’s falsetto vocals combine to create an otherworldly song far greater than the sum of its parts. If you must wallow this winter, this is the only acceptable soundtrack, I believe.