Nica Staffs Winter Playlist Picks

Are you tired of playing the same old records time and time again? Seek music inspiration from team Nica as we share our favourite winter songs.

Nikki McBridge, Graphic Designer: One Day by Paolo Nutini

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After a 5 year hiatus, Paolo Nutini is back with a bang. Following a summer filled with festival performances, the Scottish star is preparing for a hectic UK tour. Best known for his 2006 release of New Shoes, Nutini’s latest record Caustic Love has become the fastest selling album of 2014.

Boasting a rating of 79 on metacritic, the album has been well received by publications such as The Guardian and Clash Music and we love it. The mature, heartbroken vocals, the tender acoustic moments, the odd hip-hop instrumental thrown in for good measure…We just can’t get enough.

OneDay is Graphic Designer Nikki’s favourite song from the album. A slow burner, the sound is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black. It’s full of soul.

Grace May, Assistant Product Manager: Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

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It’s hard to think of many British singer-songwriters who have achieved the same levels of fame as Ed Sheeran has. Since releasing The A Team back in 2011, media moguls have been all over him like a rash, he’s sold out arena tours and Jamie Oliver has even offered to personally cook at his wedding.

With this in mind it should come as no surprise that here at Nica we’re also pretty fond of the Sheeran. Our Assistant Product Manager Grace adores his breezy love song, Thinking Out Loud. It’s all saccharine sweetness and cooing vocals, just in time for festive goodwill.

Nica Kim, Senior Designer: Elliot Smith – Waltz #2 XO

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From commercial superstars to lo-fi lovelies, we’re a well-rounded bunch here at Nica and our music tastes cover a wide palette. For Senior Designer and our brand's namesake Nica Kim, it’s the soothing sound of Elliot Smith that gets her whistling while she works.

Although she loves all of his music, Nica Kim is particularly enamoured with Smith’s 1998 album  From a Basement Over the Hill and her favourite song is Waltz #2(XO).

For those who are unfamiliar with the singer-songwriter, Elliot Smith was an American musician who released 7 beautiful albums in his lifetime. Unfortunately Smith died at just 36 years old, but his impossibly lovely music is still enjoyed by a large fan base today.

Samantha Robinson, Content and Social Media Executive: Two Bodies – Flight Facilities

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Breaking up the procession of singer-songwriter soloists is Samantha Robinson’s winter playlist pick. Our Content and Social Media Executive has fallen head over heels for electronic producers Flight Facilities and it’s easy to see why.

The Australian duo creates infectious retro-house tunes sprinkled with laid-back vocals which are perfect for mellow Sunday afternoons or office background music. Listen and daydream.

We’d love to know which tracks have been on your radar lately. Tweet your favourite sounds to @Nica_Handbags and we’ll add them to our ever-growing playlist.