Spring 2022 Playlist: Annotated
Spring has sprung once again—but this is my first seasonal playlist since moving to Louisville. I wonder if my tastes will change along with the scenery? I’d say the main vibe of my Spring 2022 Playlist is…open. Vast. It can see for miles, even through the rain.
1) “Valentine, Texas” by Mitski - Normally I don’t like to start my playlists with album openers, but I couldn’t help it here. The build in this song is just perfect—and when the other instruments kick in? It’s like wiping cold condensation off a window.
2) “Anitra’s Basement Tapes” by The Coup - Recently Spotify reminded me that the Sorry to Bother You soundtrack is amazing. It’s also an amazing movie if you haven’t seen it. Totally deranged, yet sadly realistic.
3) “Shoes Too Tight” by Liam Kazar - There’s a certain type of song I enjoy that could be described as “almost irritating.” So chipper as to put one on edge. This is one of those songs. But I think that fits Spring well, honestly—being so goddamn hopeful for warmth and sunshine.
4) “Tenderness” by Parquet Courts - I hadn’t listened to Parquet Courts for a long time when this popped up in one of my Discover Weekly playlists. It’s the ideal soundtrack for taking a long walk—which you can do now, because the snow has finally melted. Hopefully.
5) “Level Up” by Sigrid - This song is so fresh and green. This is what sprouting plants sound like.
6) “Widmung” by Ak Dan Gwang Chil - You didn’t know you needed Korean alt-folk in your life, but you really, really do. No skips on their album Such is Life. Watch their Tiny Desk Concert.
7) “Kokomo, IN” by Japanese Breakfast - If “Level Up” is what sprouting plants sound like, this is what it sounds like when flowering trees blossom.
8) “C’mon Baby, Cry” by Orville Peck - Thrilled that everyone’s favorite gay cowboy is back with a new album. You’ll want to sing along with this one.
9) “Mine Forever” by Lord Huron - This is the song you put on when it’s warm enough to roll down your car windows. You can practically hear the wind blowing.
10) “Would You Mind Please Pulling Me Close?” by Tasha - Music for snuggling while it rains outside. The dictionary definition of tender.
11) “All Rivers at Once” by Sevdaliza - This Dutch-Iranian artist brings us one for the cold, cloudy days of Spring. The worms are squirming on the blacktop. Your sock got soaked in a puddle.
12) “Satellite” by Spoon - I’ve loved Spoon since high school—this one is from their latest album. It sounds like waking up, remembering that there’s life outside your home.
13) “Luxury” by Vlad Holiday - Yet another song that Spotify delivered to me on my Discover Weekly playlist. It’s what Spring in the city sounds like at night.
14) “All of My Cryin’” by Shannon & The Clams - I often put 1960s-esque songs on my Spring playlists. Something about the vintage backbeat seems to fit the season.
15) “When You’re Gone” by The Cranberries - 1990s Irish doo-wop. It’s a thing. Even though Dolores O’Riordan’s voice was so fierce, there’s something fragile about this song that matches the fragility of Spring, plants trying to weather the last of frosts.
16) “You Only Live Twice” by Beulahbelle - Who knew a James Bond theme could be made to sound so sweet! Grab your picnic blanket—it’s time to hit the park.
17) “King” by Florence + The Machine - Florence coming back with new music is always a reason to celebrate. And I find her voice fits Spring and Fall particularly well—there’s something mulchy about it. Lush. Her voice is an ecosystem personified.
18) “Holly Holy” by Neil Diamond - Truth be told, I was tempted to save this for my next Summer mix instead. But I do think it works for Spring, especially in the way it builds, everything coming to life. And I suppose it’ll serve as a good transition to my next Summer mix in a few months.
Need more Spring music?