Blog
Taking Time to Live Well
DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: Adobe Stock
To mark Mother’s Day on 15 March, our latest playlist is dedicated to mothers, mums, moms and mammas.
Have a listen here.
We make a playlist for every issue of The Simple Things. You’ll find this in our March 26 PEEK issue, available to buy here.
DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: istock
Inspired by global celebrations of Carnival and Mardi Gras, our February playlist brings together music from Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti, Colombia, Cuba and New Orleans. Though countries celebrate on different days, these festivals are filled with parades and street parties; dancing and music – a final fling before Lent begins.
Have a listen here.
You’ll find this playlist in our February 26 HEAL issue, on sale from 30 January. Order a copy from Pics & Ink.
DJ: Karen Dunn
Image: Adobe Stock
For our January NEST issue, our playlist is all about songs to curl up with at home. Take a listen here.
You can find all our playlists – covering all kinds of moods and weathers – here.
Our January 2026 issue goes on sale on 24 December. Find copies in supermarkets and newsagents, or order a copy directly through us at Pics and Ink.
DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: Adobe Stock
Introducing our December playlist. You can have a listen to it here. Pop it on while you write your cards, unwrap your pressies or just take a moment.
Our December issue celebrates all things calm, all things bright. It’s in the shops from 19 November.
You can have a browse of all our playlists here.
Our October playlist is compiled by Daniel Gray, author of Sunday Best: Travels through the day of rest.
These are songs that sum up the spirit of a Sunday. Have a listen on Spotify here.
You can see some of Daniel’s ‘Sunday best’ outing suggestions in HUG, the October 2025 issue of The Simple Things magazine.
Image: istock
DJ: Frances Ambler
Our playlist for our August RIPPLE issue is inspired by our feature on why a bit of gossip can be good for you.
You can take a listen here, and order yourself a copy of the issue here.
We compile a playlist for each issue of The Simple Things, have a browse of them on Spotify.
DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: Adobe Stock
We put together a fruity playlist to accompany our new July FRUIT issue. Have a listen here.
An easy way to get in your 17-a-day.
We compile a playlist for every issue of the magazine. Have a browse of them all here.
DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: Shutterstock
We’re reaching great heights for our latest playlist, taken from our June 2025 SOAR issue (on sale from 28 May).
Have a listen to our playlist here.
We compile a playlist for each issue of The Simple Things: have a browse of them here.
DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: Shutterstock
Our playlist for our May TEND issue celebrates the long weekend.
Have a listen on Spotify here.
Want something else to listen to? Browse all our playlists here.
Our May TEND issue is on sale on Thursday 24 April. Order copies here.
DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: Shutterstock
To accompany our new April issue JAUNT, we couldn’t resist putting together a playlist of jaunty tunes. So, pop it on and put a spring in your step…
You can take a listen here
Or have a browse of all our playlists
Our April JAUNT issue will be on sale from 26 March.
DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: iStock
In our March 2025 MEND issue we learn how to say sorry.
For our playlist, we’ve taken inspiration from musicians who’ve tried to put their regrets and apologies into words. You can take a listen on Spotify here.
Or we have playlists for every kind of mood – we publish one in each issue of The Simple Things. Have a browse of them here.
Image: istock
DJ: Frances Ambler
In our February GLIMMER issue of The Simple Things, we get to meet all female brass band, She’s Got Brass. And, to blow our own trumpet, we’ve put together a rather fine accompanying playlist.
You can have a listen here.
Not quite hitting the musical spot today? We make a playlist for each issue of The Simple Things. Have a browse of them all here.
February GLIMMER is on sale from 29 January.
DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: Shutterstock
Introducing our January playlist…
To accompany our YARN issue, we’ve compiled a playlist of bookish pleasures. You can take a listen here.
Looking for something to read as you listen? We’ve compiled a selection of recommended reads in our latest issue, on sale in shops and supermarkets from 24 December. Or order yourself a copy through Pics and Ink.
DJ: Frances Ambler
Illustration: Shutterstock
Our soundtrack to December. Take a listen here.
Or have a look at previous Christmas playlists here, here and here.
DJ: Frances Ambler
Illustration: Anneliese Klos
Shimmer and shine, glinting and gleaming, our latest playlist celebrates jewels, jewellery and precious metals – you can have a listen here.
It’s taken from our November JEWEL issue, which is on sale from 31 October. Order a copy in the Pics and Ink shop.
DJ: Dan Richards
Image: Vanessa Grzywacz
In our October WEAVE issue, Dan Richards takes us along on a night walk through Wigtown. He’s shared a taster of his soundtrack with us: you can take a listen here.
DJ: FRANCES AMBLER
IMAGE: VANESSA GRZYWACZ
Whether it’s your house or your neighbourhood, our latest playlist celebrates your patch. It’s taken from our September PATCH issue (see what we did there?) in shops from 28 August 24.
Take a listen on Spotify here
Have a browse of all our playlists here
DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: Anneliese Klos
Summer songs to lift the spirits – and a touch of summertime nostalgia – whether the sun is out or not. Take a listen on Spotify here. You’ll find this playlist in our August HAVEN issue, on sale from 24 July.
For more summer playlists, take a look at our Spotify profile, where we’ve got playlists for a barbecue, summer memories, midsummer magic and also for lazing on a sunny afternoon.
IMAGE: Shutterstock
While our unreliable weather means that we don’t have a great culinary tradition of barbecuing, we do have a great tradition of spontaneous barbecuing. It doesn’t matter if it’s just you, or you manage to gather a gang together – when the sun’s out, it’s time to seize the opportunity for some al fresco cooking. And even better if you pop some sunny tunes on too – just like our new ‘songs for a barbecue’ playlist.
You can take a listen on Spotify here. Or have a browse of all our previous playlists here. We compile a playlist for every issue of the magazine.
DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: Shutterstock
Our May issue celebrates the goodness of FOLK in all its forms… including folk music. Have a listen to our latest playlist here.
Or have a browse of all our playlists here. We publish one in each monthly issue.
Happy listening!
We celebrate slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of where you live, enjoying the company of of friends and family, and feeding them well. We like to grow some of our own vegetables, visit local markets, rummage for vintage finds, and decorate our home with the plunder. We love being outdoors and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a job well done.