If I were okay with naming playlists with obvious names, this would be called The “Justify Spending Your Day Off in Bed With A Sweater and a Cup of Coffee When It’s Raining or Snowing Outside” Playlist. It’s an important playlist to have, obviously, but I have a problem with names that resemble Fiona Apple’s album titles, so I just went with “Sink.”
Now, this is not a fall/winter playlist. This is specifically intended for days when the conditions outside are perfect – extremely cold, or maybe just grey and dreary but muggy thanks to El Niño – and you have nothing to do but sit in a warm house or apartment, wearing the largest knit item you own and pants… if you feel like it.
Pick your poison: tea, coffee, or hot chocolate… There is a mix of electronic music, as well as some some old, dreamy standards and a few new, indie artists I’ve recently fallen for. I condensed my out-of-control 50+ song playlist down to this much more refined, streamlined list of songs that each give that “in the pit of my stomach, there is a Koosh Ball made of kittens” feeling.
Note: if you’re interested in a more immersive, epically cozy experience, I highly suggest putting RainyMood on in the background for a little atmosphere. It can transform your boring, stressful workday, seriously.
Due to its low tempo and mellow theme, this is also a tried & true “concentrate on work” playlist, as well as a halfway decent yoga playlist. Some people can’t do yoga if there are words happening around them, which I totally get. Bending backwards and listening to lyrics is a dangerous combination.
“Sink” Track List
- Still Corners – The Trip
- Emiliana Torrini – Dead Duck
- The Echo-Friendly – Same Mistakes
- Jon Brion – Theme
- Jenny O. – Home
- Little Dragon – Twice
- Alt-J – Tessellate
- G. Love & Special Sauce – Blues Music
- Shlohmo – Rained The Whole Time (Nicolas Jaar Remix)
- Thievery Corporation – Lebanese Blonde
- The Peddlers – On A Clear Day You Can See Forever
- Kid Loco – Love Me Sweet
- Bobby Bare Jr. – Where Is My Mind
If you’re not going to listen to it, but want to hear the best songs… listen to Jenny O. – Home, The Echo-Friendly – Same Mistakes, and Little Dragon – Twice, then the bonus tracks!
Stream this playlist on Rdio for free:
http://rd.io/x/QQ-okjP0yUk/
Individual Tracks
Here are the individual tracks, via YouTube.
Still Corners – The Trip
Emiliana Torrini – Dead Duck
The Echo-Friendly – Same Mistakes
Jon Brion – Theme from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Jenny O. – Home
Little Dragon – Twice
Alt-J – Tessellate
G. Love & Special Sauce – Blues Music
Shlohmo – Rained The Whole Time
Thievery Corporation – Lebanese Blonde
The Peddlers – On A Clear Day You Can See Forever
Kid Loco – Love Me Sweet
Bobby Bare Jr. – Where Is My Mind
Uh, ignore the weird plea for donations…?
Bonus tracks
…aka tracks that I couldn’t add to the playlist(s) because they weren’t available. What can I say? I like to be thorough and if these songs aren’t on this playlist, it kind of ruins everything, okay? Just humor me.
Gift of Gab/Blackalicious x Sufjan Stevens Mashup by Tor – That Dress Looks Nice On You / Make You Feel That Way
This is an amazing mash-up by producer, Tor, who I discovered last year. There is actually an entire album of Tor’s Sufjan Stevens mashups called Illinoize. It’s free. Get it.
If this song had been available, it would have been the very first song on the playlist.
Lee Hazelwood – My Autumn’s Done Come
Lee Hazelwood is a classic cozy choice, and this song in particular is like a big, warm blanket. It makes me think of crunchy leaves and my dad’s old winter coats. :’)