It’s getting to be that pleasant time of year when the birds are out, the leaves are growing back and it’s not so hot where you’re sweating the second you step outside. It’s perfect weather, but the deluge of coursework tries its hardest to keep you from enjoying it. Whether you can find the time to frolic outside, or you’re confined inside the library until it closes, here are some song recommendations that capture spring’s mirthful energy.
Fleet Foxes — “Ragged Wood”
If you ask me, no artist has more seasonal pull than Fleet Foxes, and “Ragged Wood” is the perfect example. It’s more stomp and holler aligned than some of their other folk music, making it an addictive listen. Robin Pecknold sings about wanting someone to return to him, invoking spring imagery and comparisons to compel them. Pecknold’s bellowing, reverb-soaked vocals loudly kick the song off, with harmonies by the other bandmates woven in as it progresses. The fast-paced sections, driven by staccato guitar patterns and driving drum rhythms, call upon the bustling qualities of the season. The slower, more meditative moments resemble the peaceful stillness of the cool, cloudless nights.
Adrianne Lenker — “two reverse”
The opener to Lenker’s 2020 masterpiece folk album, “songs,” is a freeing and calming listen. Her intricate fingerstyle guitar technique is mesmerizing, giving the song a strong sense of movement. The rise and fall of her quavering vocals and the elongation of certain syllables work to amplify the hypnotic feeling. It’s rather wistful, especially with lyrics about an ended relationship, but the lively pace lets a sense of optimism and new beginnings rise above it all.
22° Halo — “Bird Sanctuary”
This lo-fi indie pop gem from 2024 captures the carefree nature of walks where everything just feels right. Melodious guitar tidbits and satisfying drum fills propel the song forwards with unwavering energy. Frontman Will Kennedy trades verses with his wife, Kate Schneider, who the song is about. Their voices, both relatively quiet, are dreamy and work in perfect tandem with the instruments.
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Haley Heynderickx — “Mouth of a Flower”
Much like the rest of her music, Heynderickx’s knack for nature imagery shines through on this Americana ballad. The entire forest is at her lyrical command as she introduces various flora and fauna, juxtaposing their beauty with the extractive approach people have towards nature. Heynderickx’s confident vocals strengthen and weaken with the cadence of a waltz, sticking out atop the repetitious acoustic guitar backdrop. String arrangements pepper the song like the momentary gusts of wind that are so typical this time of year.
Tapir! — “Nail in a Wooden Trunk”
Tapir!’s second single after the U.K. band’s debut album last year is a departure from the folktronica sound that made them stand out, sticking closer to acoustic indie folk conventions. Frontman Ike Gray starts with a gentle count off before the band jumps in with a jaunty cadence.
The lightness of the music establishes an airy and playful atmosphere, especially with the lulling backing vocals from cornetist Emily Hubbard. It’s the perfect companion for cool, untroubled mornings before you start the day.
Susanne Sundfør — “leikara ljóð”
While the Norwegian title, which translates to “Actor’s Poem,” may be hard to pronounce, it is certainly an inviting listen. The sound of birds starts the art pop delicacy off before Sundfør begins humming softly, entering with a soothing note that keeps getting more layered. The song is predominantly acapella, with hand claps and rising soul vocals offering spiritual rejuvenation. It’s an unequivocally happy and high-energy cut that goes along with the plants and animals returning after winter.
If you would like to hear all these tracks in one place, check out this Spotify playlist: