By Thea Marsh
With moody winter weather closing in and deadline season looming for everyone, many of us are reaching for extra motivation to power through heavy workloads and darker evenings. With libraries filling up and daylight disappearing far too early, the right soundtrack can make all the difference between a sluggish study session and a focused, productive one.
While lyrical music is often our go-to for discovery and comfort, studies repeatedly show that it can be more of a hindrance than a help for efficient brain function. On the other hand, traditional classical alternatives like Mozart concertos or Schubert symphonies don’t always match modern tastes. This is where film and television soundtracks can strike that perfect note between being instrumentally rich without being intrusive and engaging without demanding attention. Especially at this time of year, when looking at our “To Do List” in eerie silence can feel more daunting and overwhelming, soundtracks offer a gentle nudge into focus rather than a brash push into “lock-in” mode.
Most of us are already familiar with the sweeping orchestral worlds of Hans Zimmer or John Powell. From Gladiator to How to Train Your Dragon, their music is iconic and emotionally powerful. Zimmer’s work on The Holiday, in particular, adds a nostalgic, festive warmth that feels ideally suited to December essay-writing. Though for all their brilliance, their scores can be somewhat out of sync with a calm working atmosphere. To avoid sudden surges of adrenaline or vivid cinematic flashbacks pulling us out of our workflow during pressured deadlines, a delicate, less distinctive soundtrack may be the answer. In the last few years, particularly from recent television and intimate drama, composers are creating more tender and minimalist soundscapes, prioritising emotional alignment rather than a cinematic atmosphere.
These are ideal companions for your best “Winter Arc” yet.
Stephen Rennicks
Normal People (2020), Room (2015)
Irish composer Stephen Rennicks embodies the art of musical restraint. His intimate score for the BBC’s romantic drama Normal People, based on Sally Rooney’s 2018 novel, captures the fragile emotional relationship between Connell and Marianne with carefully constructed sensitivity. Echoing the delicate emotions of young people navigating love and physical intimacy, Rennicks plays with sparse piano motifs and soft strings. This portrayal reflects the gentility and tension of the unspoken words as a young couple explores the complications and vulnerabilities of young love. Rather than relying on strong rhythms, Rennicks focuses on subtle harmonic shifts, creating a calm, immersive atmosphere that never overwhelms. The result is music that quietly supports concentration, ideal for reading, writing, or thoughtful revision.
Bryce Dessner
We Live in Time (2024), A Good Person (2023), Cyrano (2021), The Revenant (2015)
If you prefer piano-led compositions with a contemporary edge, Bryce Dessner offers a compelling middle ground between classical and more contemporary for modern ears. His most recent work for A24’s We Live in Time, starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield provides a range of piano writing paired with warm string arrangements that is engaging and peacefully elegant. Dessner’s music is more melodically diverse than Rennicks’, with an assortment of rich harmonies and rhythmic momentum. Tracks such as “Back to Back” work beautifully for calm, sustained focus, while pieces like “Carousel” offer a slightly more expansive, cinematic feel—perfect for moments when motivation needs a gentle lift.
Theodore Shapiro
The Roses (2025), Severance (2022–), Last Christmas (2019), The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
A personal favourite, and currently enjoying renewed attention, Theodore Shapiro stands out for his versatility. Rather than adhering to a single compositional style, Shapiro tailors his music to the film’s concept, making him an excellent gateway for those who wish to broaden their instrumental horizons.
For lighter study sessions, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty offers gentle optimism and a steady rhythmic pace that is stimulating rather than disrupting, ideal for dark work evenings when motivation can wane. Though if you’re in need of sharper focus or heightened intensity, Shapiro’s sharp-edged, off-kilter tempos for Apple TV’s Thriller series Severance provide a more intense hypnotic backdrop that keeps the mind alert. And as the festive season approaches, his 2019 film Last Christmas introduces subtle holiday warmth while keeping contagious carol-humming distractions at bay.
As winter deepens and deadlines stack up, the right soundtrack can transform your study environment. Whether you’re drawn to Rennicks’ delicate minimalism, Dessner’s piano-driven elegance, or Shapiro’s genre-spanning versatility, film and television scores offer a focused, emotionally intelligent alternative to silence or
lyrical overload.
If you’re still searching for inspiration or simply don’t have the time to curate a playlist, my Spotify playlist brings together these composers and more. As we approach the busiest time of the year, these composers can carry you through, making this winter your most productive yet.
