Music for When the World Starts Blooming Again

Spring always feels like the moment the word exhales. After months of dingy drizzle, grey days, the sun emerges, everything slowly begins again — and the music I listen to changes with it.

Sometimes an album isn’t just the music you listen to, but it accompanies and becomes the soundtrack to a portion of your life. For me, I feel like the music that’s accompanying me into Spring, allows me to sit in certain moods: the quiet, warm mornings; soft slow introspective evenings, and a walk in between.

Below I have selected some albums and specific song recommendations perfect for dusting off the winter cobwebs, and soundtracking your spring!

For the walks where your thoughts wander.

Those walks where fresh air does you the world of good.

“Dog Eared” - Billie Marten

Billie Marten’s “Dog Eared” is a gentle yet evocative album oscillating between introspective over-thinking and the embracing of change. She celebrates love through vibrant imagery and poetic arrangements.

In reference to the album title, Marten herself explains, “A dog-eared book is an image in my head that is very worn and thumbed-through, and I guess I feel like that sometimes.” This album feels like waking up, watering your plants and stepping out into the warm spring sunshine: like perfect company for a gentle stroll!

Album song pick: Track 6, “Leap Year”

For the mornings when the air feels lighter

When the window is cracked half-open, and you can make breakfast in your pyjamas.

“In Between Dreams” - Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson’s 2005 album “In Between Dreams” is an instant mood lifter. His lyrics are optimistic, sunny, and his tender writing style echoes the simple pleasures in everyday life.

For me, this album is super nostalgic, and reminds me of summer holidays soundtracked by Johnson’s discography on CD. It’s an easygoing, background listen, serving as the perfect start to a spring morning.

Album song pick: Track 3, “Banana Pancakes”

For evenings when you need quiet comfort

Those gentle evenings when you need reassurance that everything is going to be ok.

“Give Me A Minute” - Lizzy McAlpine

Lizzy McAlpine’s 2020 album “Give Me A Minute” feels like a warm hug. This is a gentle-folk inspired with lyrics that feel intimate, introspective and reminiscent in a way that allows you to collect your thoughts and calm yourself down. Lizzy doesn’t shy away from nostalgia or heartbreak, but writes so gently that these topics don’t feel intimidating or overwhelming.

I would recommend this album to anyone whose busy day has left them feeling defeated or a bit unsettled; it feels a bit like an ear for your troubles, or a shoulder to rest your head upon.

Album song pick: Track 6 ”To the Mountains”

For when you’re ready to bloom into the best version of yourself 

When you realise it’s time to embrace self-growth; there is no audience to impress, no people to please, and there is a version of you 10 years from now begging you to breathe a little. 

“The Art of Loving” - Olivia Dean

In Olivia Dean’s 2025 album “The Art of Loving”, she offers a smile and a pick me up to every listener. This album is so full of joy, reassurance and positivity that a full listen through leaves you ready to be the most optimistic version of yourself.

When I listen to this album, I can feel her telling me to embrace change, be friendly, radiant, grounded, calm and hopeful- because who benefits from your negativity- certainly not you!

Olivia Dean confronts heartbreak, the passage of time with songwriting that feels fresh and natural. I think the main message of the album can be summed up by the statement she made in a recent interview: “It took time and working on myself to realise that I’m the only one who has to live inside my brain, so I might as well make it a nice place to live. I might as well just love myself.”

Album song pick: Track 5 “So Easy (To Fall In Love)

Honourable mentions 

Not every feeling has a whole album to accompany it. Here are some honourable mentions for curating that perfect shuffle on your spring playlist:

“Spring into Summer” - Lizzy McAlpine

“Don’t Delete The Kisses” - Wolf Alice

“Sunday Morning” - The Velvet Underground

“You Make Loving Fun”- Fleetwood Mac

“Put Your Records On” - Corinne Bailey Rae

“Coming Home” - Leon Bridges

“My Cherie Amour” - Stevie Wonder

“It’s too late” - Carole King

“Upside Down” - Jack Johnson

“Here’s Where the Story Ends” - The Sundays

“Flowers In The Window” - Travis

Written by, Sophie Robinson