A Tentative Springtime Playlist

Written by: Kiley Bleich 

Thumbnail and Banner Photo by blocks on Unsplash

Spring is signalled by the scent of damp ground uniting with salty sea foam, purple crocus flowers blooming along sidewalk edges, and fawns concealed amongst the bracken; a reprieve from an unsympathetic winter. Unfortunately, the barrage of snowflakes outside as we near the end of March has put a damper on one’s excitement for the season. Regardless, she is coming, and with this new season approaching, so too should a new playlist. Below is a series of songs compiled with the intention of evoking the essence of the season and inspiring springtime fever. 

“I Was The Dancer” by Way Dynamic (2025)

To me, springtime music means soft voices, honest lyrics, and upbeat instrumentals. As a season of rebirth, one’s musical choices should be reflective of this hopeful resurrection. Coming from the band’s 2025 album titled Massive Shoe, Way Dynamic’s song “I Was The Dancer” perfectly encapsulates the essence of this changing season. While they have three albums in their repertoire, the earliest dropping in 2022, their latest release has seemed to garner them the most attention. Massive Shoe offers a blend of folk and jazz influences, all culminating into something reminiscent of McCartney's 1971 album Ram. The distinct folk-inspired lilt in the lead singer Dylan Young’s voice, along with the twangy instrumental, creates a cheerful and carefree listening experience. 

“Just Be Simple” by Songs: Ohia, Jason Molina (2003)

You simply can’t usher in spring without Jason Molina on your playlist, especially anything from the 2003 album, Magnolia Electric Co., which I believe to be one of the best of all time. This song harkens back to simplicity, something that spring often inspires, acting as a deep, musky breath of relief after a winter of holding one’s breath. Much of Jason Molina’s work acts in this refreshing manner, from the deeply honest lyrics to his wavering voice; there is something so beautifully raw about Molina’s art. As Molina’s legacy remains, even after his sudden death in 2013, there are numerous covers of this song available for one’s listening pleasure. Most recently, I’ve found MJ Lenderman’s cover to be particularly compelling. This song, and really any off the album, is a perfect addition to a spring playlist, and I highly recommend deep diving into Molina’s discography. 

“Afterlife” by Alex G (2025)

Really, there is no artist more fit for a spring playlist than Alex G. Easily recognizable through his DIY sound, Alex G’s music is a time capsule of childhood nostalgia. Somehow, he’s managed to capture the sound of being 10 years old and waking up to a mourning dove cooing outside your window, rolling down a grassy hill, and making paper stars to hang from the ceiling of your bubblegum pink bedroom. The song “Afterlife” from his most recent album, Headlights, is a perfect example of the musically induced childhood feverdream which Alex G’s discography inspires. As spring is a season of birth, “Afterlife” provides a cheerful backdrop of vocals and instrumentals alike to reminisce on the seasons of your childhood. Hopefully, it only conjures joyful memories of skinned knees and chalk-streaked palms. 

“Hanging On A Star” by Nick Drake (1972)

To me, spring is proof that magic is real. When life blooms from what was barren only weeks ago, how can one deny it? It is for this reason that this curated list of songs requires one of the most whimsical tracks I know. That is “Hanging On A Star” by Nick Drake, a song which was recorded in 1972 and only released on a compilation album in the 2000s, long after Drake’s tragic death. Ironically, I had only noticed while writing this that the album is titled Made To Love Magic, so perhaps that’s more evidence of magical interference. Like much of Nick Drake’s discography, “Hanging On A Star” is whimsical, melancholic, and meditative. The softness of the guitar, repetition of lyrics, and Drake’s signature whiny croon make for a combination of sounds that could lull one to sleep. Rather than falling asleep due to disinterest in the song, one would instead find that much like Drake’s disposition, his music is gentle and subdued; the perfect lullaby. 

“Three More Weeks” by Elevator To Hell (1996)

To finalize this springtime playlist, I had to highlight a local band from Atlantic Canada. Coming out of Moncton, New Brunswick, Elevator To Hell is a solo project from Rick White, the lead man of Eric’s Trip. Both are incredible projects, and I highly recommend checking them out and discovering the fantastic musical talent that the maritime provinces have to offer. This song, in particular, “Three More Weeks”, perfectly exemplifies the band's signature sound of lo-fi psychedelia, a combination which creates a hauntingly unique sound. Specifically, this sound is highlighted best in the last minute or so after the lyrics fade out, and all you have left is the high-pitched droning instrumental. As the final song on this tentative seasonal playlist, “Three More Weeks” accurately expresses the feeling of convincing oneself that it’ll only be a few short weeks before spring finally arrives in Nova Scotia. 

Each of these songs acts as a herald of the season, carefully crafting the essence of spring through hopeful lyrics, childhood nostalgia, and whimsical instrumentation. As spring hides behind rainy days and snowstorms, hopefully this short playlist can act as a reprieve amidst the springtime trickery. Other notable musical mentions which almost made this list include “This Is the Girl” by Patti Smith, “Love Takes Miles” by Cameron Winter, “L’Amour Looks Something Like You” by Kate Bush, and “Lover Lover Lover” by Leonard Cohen. Whether you find refuge inside from uncertain weather or take advantage of blissfully sunny days, this playlist can act as your own personal springtime soundtrack.