There is nothing like a blizzard to ring in the semester. Sparkling ice, fluffy snow and the safety of watching all that beauty from safe inside your dorm. It really is glorious, that is until you’ve been inside for four days and go stir-crazy because you can’t remember the last time you felt the sun or made the treacherous descent down the Elephant Steps. Even in the warmth of home, the snow feels oppressive. In moments like these, it helps to (slightly) rage against the snow. So, while you’re bundled up inside, feel free to scream, chant or zone out and stare at a wall to these songs.

“Snow Angel” – Reneé Rapp

Definitely a little on the nose with the title, but apt nonetheless. “Snow Angel” is certainly not about weather, but Rapp does manage to capture the feeling of being overwhelmed and in need of escape. In a magnificent bridge from the queen of ballads herself, self doubt and confusion build to a gloriously orchestral crescendo. If there is any ounce of unresolved conflict in your heart, screaming along will do wonders for your psyche.

“Five Years” – David Bowie

Another song with a slow build to a strong finish, “Five Years” follows the singer’s slow descent into insanity and hopelessness upon finding out Earth is doomed. Not to be dramatic, but sometimes being stuck in the same routine, knowing you can’t really go anywhere for the time being feels like the end of the world. Sure, there aren’t spiders from Mars in Ohio, but there is otherworldly, lake-effect snow. Be dramatic, embrace that end of the world feeling.

“Let Down” – Radiohead

There are few artists that capture the feeling of screaming into the void better than Radiohead. When your windows frost over and the world fades away, sometimes it is helpful to fall into a wall of sound. “Let Down” drolls on and on, building to so much emotion that it becomes almost empty. There is nothing in this song except the raw feeling of needing to get out. While you may be understimulated from being stuck in the same space, “Let Down” will give you so much sensory input that you can’t help but be brought back to life.

“Daytona” – Nep

While you might not want to be reminded of the beaches in this weather, bear with me here. Nep, self proclaimed “Florida Girl,” reminds us that feeling trapped by circumstance is not just a cold-weather feeling. She references characters the listener does not know, cultural norms that non-Floridians probably don’t understand, and yet, the listener can relate to not being heard. Through it all, Nep fights to be heard through her circumstances, and you should try to cut through the snowy haze.

“Storm Warnings” – Florence Road

Most of Florence Road’s catalog captures this restlessness well, but this piece is fitting in terms of both theme and title. Here, the storm warnings refer to red flags in relationships that you never notice, despite warnings, until you are truly left alone with your thoughts. Through it all, you should see the storm brewing, but you are blinded by circumstance. Being snowed in can force self-confrontation like no other, and no amount of preparation can steel you for that.

“Snowbank Blues” – The Backseat Lovers

This playlist has had a lot of songs with heavy instrumentation, so let’s end with a rawer acoustic track. Snow can hide a lot, allowing people to hide themselves or be hidden involuntarily. In any case, snow serves as a mask, either for your personality or the steps outside your dorm. “Snowbank Blues” is pretty straightforward, showcasing the emotional turmoil hiding away and suggesting that it is probably worth melting away your icy exterior. There are certainly things to like about the snow if you look for it, but in order to do that, you would have to leave your dorm. Be free, unmask yourself and then immediately bundle up to head to class.

Songs left in the snow drift: “Telephones And Traffic” (Frances Anderson), “Saint Bernard” (Lincoln), “Goodnight” (Florence Road), “Ballerina Radio” (Kings of Leon), “Vampire Empire” (Big Thief) “Maple Syrup” (The Backseat Lovers).