Its probably not a big secret, I hate Winter, as a season, as a concept, as weather. The whole thing sucks. Cold sucks, snow is the worst, no meaningful sunlight for 3 months, everything dies. The 2020 pandemic, while lasting more than an entire year, and several seasons, certainly embodied the characteristics of Winter time. It was a dark year, many people didn't make it out the other side. It ended a lot of things, and gave way to other newer things.
Ben Harper has been one of my favorite musicians since I discovered him in a Rolling Stone article when I was in middle school. Like many artists during the Pandemic, while locked down and sequestered, he still managed to produce art. Winter is for Lovers is just Ben Harper and his lap steel guitar, no words, just music. The record is definitely a vibe. Instead of dwelling on the misery of the season, it invokes the quiet, comfortable, and introspective themes of the season. If anything, this record hi-lites Harper's guitar playing talents.
