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Culture > Entertainment

Bye Brat Summer, Hello Demure Fall

Updated Published
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Taylor Riley
The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Wake Forest chapter.

We’ve gotten into the habit of branding our summers. Last year it was Barbie Summer, with Barbie-branded Spotify playlists, an obsession with Margot Robbie’s press tour outfits, and For You pages filled with Ryan Gosling edits. 2024 brought Brat Summer, a season full of the iconic neon green, revival of 2000’s fashion, and listening parties for Charli XCX’s album. Brat Summer characteristics include messy behaviors such as texting your ex, spending all your money on concert tickets, and consistently staying out until 2 A.M. 

But as autumn leaves begin to fall and students don their Ugg boots, it’s time for a new season brand. It’s time for Demure Fall. Stemming from the “demure and mindful” trend founded by TikToker Jools Lebron, this season’s aesthetic is all about being graceful and cozy. It’s Brat Summer’s older, less feral sister. Activities that encapsulate Demure Fall include rewatching Gilmore Girls, wearing cozy cable-knit sweaters, and going to pumpkin patches. But while Brat Summer had a preset playlist of Charli xcx, the tracklist for Demure Fall is a little less self-explanatory. Not to worry, because many albums capture the pensiveness and yearning that seem to be ingrained in all of us from September-November. Here are ten albums to stream for a Demure Fall. 

  1. Evermore by Taylor Swift

The sister album of the highly acclaimed Folklore, Evermore is an indie folk record with beautiful lyricism and storytelling. Created as an escape during 2020’s pandemic, the album is designed for listeners to lose themselves in the fictional loves and losses penned by Taylor Swift. 

  1. Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? by The Cranberries 

The 1993 debut album of the alternative-rock band, The Cranberries, produced the iconic songs “Dreams” and “Linger.” The catchy, melancholic ballads chronicle the pain and uncertainty of falling in love. 

  1. Stranger in the Alps by Phoebe Bridgers

This album marks the debut of indie artist Phoebe Bridgers, who went on to become one of the most notable artists of the genre. Her entire discography, including that of her work with Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker for Boygenius, is poetic and profound. The tortured imagery in the lyric “And I have this dream where I’m screaming underwater/While my friends are all waving from the shore” in track 3, “Funeral,” is haunting in the best possible way. 

  1. Escaper by Sarah Kinsley 

This album is a little more niche, but it should be mainstream. If you want to be the friend who knows cool underground artists before they become super popular, this album is for you. The project centrally focuses on the theme of escapism. The heavy influences of classical music and rock make me feel like running through a field holding hands with my best friends. 

  1. Wasteland, Baby! by Hozier

Any album by Hozier fits the philosophical and mindful vibe of Demure Fall. This one in particular draws influences from classical tales of Greek Mythology, the track “Talk” chronicling the tragic story of Eurydice and Orpheus and the profound heartache of losing someone. 

  1. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac

The 1977 pop rock release features dreamy vocals and beautifully layered instrumentals. “The Chain” and “Dreams” are iconic songs that continue to dominate radios today. 

  1. Preacher’s Daughter by Ethel Cain 

Similar to Evermore, the album chronicles fictional characters, weaving a cohesive storyline through the tracks. Themes of religious trauma and a bittersweet childhood permeate the songs, making this album perfect for your sad, philosophical fall. 

  1. The Smiths by The Smiths

The 1984 release that provided us with the hit “This Charming Man” has a lot more to offer. Their guitar-based indie rock is the perfect sound for walking through piles of auburn and golden leaves, feeling like the main character in a coming of age movie. 

  1. Charm by Clario 

With notes of soft jazz and indie rock, Charm is the perfect blend of fun and heartfelt.  Introducing trending songs like “Sexy to Someone” and “Juna,” this album debuted at number 8 on US Billboard 200 this past July. 

     10. Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat by Charli xcx

Brat Autumn and Demure Fall can coexist. Although TikTok trends and aesthetics are fun, you don’t need to reinvent yourself every season. You can strike a balance between Demure Fall and Brat Autumn, or do neither! 

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