As spring approaches, it’s vital to ensure you have an armada of music at hand. As someone who avidly searches for songs that compliment the time of year, discovering new artists is a fundamental part of each season. This spring, I’ve already pulled out some of my tried and true musicians; while I’m sure I’ll unearth ones unknown to me as the season goes on, these top three have never failed me!
#1: Nick Drake
Nick Drake was an accomplished guitarist and undiscovered musician throughout the 60’s and 70’s. His debut album, Five Leaves Left, released in 1969, followed by Bryter Layter in 1971 and Pink Moon in 1972. During his short lifetime- from 1948 to 1974 -he received very little recognition, and it wasn’t until after his death that his music skyrocketed across America. Credited as an influence for artists such as The Cure, Kate Bush, Beck and Aimee Mann, Nick Drake’s musical legacy is a far cry from the few shows and fewer fans he knew during his life. His music is a requiem to his mellow existence, weaving intricate guitar patterns with soft vocals. Nick Drake’s quiet vulnerability is highlighted in the context of springtime, his melodies an apt soundtrack of the season.
Song Recs:
i.‘Cello Song
ii. Hazey Jane II
iii. Things Behind The Sun
#2: Lizzy McAlpine
Lizzy McAlpine is known across the board as a woman of gently ferocious vocals–showcased most commercially in her song “Ceilings” from second studio album Five Seconds Flat. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she gained a following via songs and covers on SoundCloud and YouTube. McAlpine’s latest work is her third studio album released in 2024, titled Older. From her debut as an artist to her upcoming debut on Broadway, she demonstrates an exceptionally emotional display of hope, love, loss and heartbreak. The tenderness displayed in her music is best enjoyed in the atmosphere of spring, as her delicate lyricism is emphasized by the encroaching warmth of the season.
Song Recs:
i. All Falls Down
ii. Angelina
iii. Come Down Soon
#3: Simon & Garfunkel
A folk rock duo from New York, Simon & Garfunkel were one of the best-selling music acts of the 1960s. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel met in elementary school in Queens, New York, and shortly thereafter began writing music together. The two gained unsurmountable success and a passionate fanbase, with leading hits such as “The Sound of Silence” and “Mrs. Robinson.” Their relationship was a rocky one, leading to their disband in 1970; while cyclically feuding and reconciling, they still performed multiple tours, concerts, and tributes. Simon & Garfunkel’s music, stylistically, is expansive. As was the precedent for artists in the 60’s, the pair experimented with different genres and instruments, creating an inflow of new ideas and soon-to-be anthems of the decade. Their classic voices, combined with nostalgic musical elements, makes them the perfect choice for this seasonal playlist.
Song Recs:
i. April Come She Will
ii. The Only Living Boy in New York
iii. Mrs. Robinson
