By: Katherine Llave
With the changing of the seasons, there may also be a changing of one’s musical artists to better suit this different atmosphere. For some listeners, there are specific vibes that an artist may carry corresponding with a specific season, or the feelings notoriously associated with those seasons. Recently, I came across a Tiktok that categorized three artists that I know and love into three different seasons—and it made perfect sense immediately. I have hereby dubbed these artists the Seasonal Sad Girl Trinity. Stick around to find out why Beabadoobee is autumn, Mitski is winter, Laufey is spring, and summer… remains a mystery.
Beabadoobee (stylized as beabadoobee) is autumn due to her earthy style, as seen in the warm orange and brown tones from her 2018 album Patched Up, as well as the imagery of Fake It Flowers. Her sound is very cozy, with acoustic guitar and soft, light vocals. Listening to beabadoobee feels like a warm hug, or being wrapped up in a fuzzy sweater on a fall day. Just listen to “Tired” or “Coffee” and try not to think about dozing off by a fireplace, or watching brown leaves and overcast skies. The ambience in songs such as “How Was Your Day?” also give a bit of a scuffed feel to her music, adding in that extra coziness while also having bitter and nostalgic undertones.
Next up we have Mitski, a hallmark of heartache and angst. Her songs are a violent and evocative outpouring of raw emotion, and it’s easy to see why her music would be classified into the season of winter. Mitski’s allure lies in her haunting and hypnotic vocals, heavy rock instrumentals, and moving choruses, seen especially in songs such as “Carry Me Out” and “Your Best American Girl.” At times, the loneliness and pain in the lyrics provide a sharp contrast with the upbeat melody of the song, which is apparent in songs like “Me and My Husband” and “The Only Heartbreaker.” Overall, Mitski seems like the artist of choice to get through the cold and melancholic winter season— she will hold your hand and walk with you through the darkness as you both cry and scream into the void.
Last but not least, we have Laufey as the season of spring. Emerging cautiously and gently with her soothing jazz melodies and orchestral accompaniments, Laufey gives a refreshing take on modern romance and longing. Her music captures the crushing feeling of an unrequited love, as well as the hazy innocence of falling in love for the first time. Laufey yearns for a love “Like the Movies” and feels incomparable to the beautiful “Magnolia” (although I beg to differ). She solemnly admits “I’ve Never Been In Love Before” but boldly declares “Everything I Know About Love”— which isn’t all that much, but she’s still trying her best to experience it. With her calm and soothing voice and the romantic bossa nova aura of the guitar, piano, and strings, listening to Laufey is a reassuring and healing experience for fellow hopeless romantics everywhere who anxiously feel they are missing out or “Falling Behind”. And what is springtime, if not a time of new beginnings and newfound love?
With summer just around the corner, we will soon be in need of a summer sad girl artist. Unless of course, summer is simply too happy of a season to have a sad artist accompany it. What do you think? Which artist could fill this summer spot? What would the seasonal lineup of artists be in a different genre? Although I’ve designated each of these artists into a season, by no means are they limited to it; any of these artists can be enjoyed year-round, no matter the season.
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