It’s been snowing all day. Pretty, from my vantage point looking out the living room window. But not pleasant when the inevitable shoveling shift must begin. Winter has seriously got its hooks in us up here in North America’s more northern nation and so it seemed only fitting to feature the most winterish hooks on the blog!

These days Norway appears to be a hotbed of amazing poprock acts and Olso’s American Suitcase is no exception. The seasonally titled “Polar Nights” has a cool late 1960s indie vibe, with vocals that sound like a cross between Canned Heat’s Bob Hite and Neil Young, and super chimey guitar work. Who cares if we’re snowed in if this is on the stereo! Moving next door to another great winter nation, Sweden, the aptly named Swedish Polarbears exude a Brydsian aura on their ode to this season, “Winter.” Yes, there is definitely a Teenage Fanclub feel to the tempo and overall rhythm section of the song, producing an inspired performance. Shifting gears (and continents), Los Angeles’ Faded Paper Figures combine techno keyboard, acoustic guitar and breathy vocals on the exquisite “North By North,” a curious and engaging bit of songwriting and performance. Meanwhile on the American east coast, Real Estate frontman Martin Courtney puts an arpeggiated acoustic guitar upfront on the lovely “Northern Highway,” a killer track from his 2015 solo record, Many Moons. Rounding out our selection of melody rich winter tunes is “Wintertime Blues” from the now defunct Dallas band, The Blurries. A loss for sure as their 2011 album Paper Cuts is a wall of melody-drenched poprock. Meanwhile, “Wintertime Blues” has an eerie feel, sort of Moody Blues meets the more poppy side of psych rock.

American Suitcase – Polar NightsThe Blurries – Wintertime Blues

Winter’s on us bad but we can still feel the warmth of the sun listening to a good poprock song. Dial up these artists to get your shot of musical vitamin D.