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Culture

A Fall Playlist for the Cold Weather and Midterms

Maya Gengozian
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at NYU chapter.

Fall is officially in session. The weather is brisk and the leaves have started showing their beautiful orange and brown colors. While fall means a change in season, it also indicates that, unfortunately, midterms are upon us. 

The new season can be exciting; it’s a start of something new (cue a clip of Troy and Gabriella singing “The Start of Something New” in the first “High School Musical”). But, midterms can feel daunting. Lots of things can start to change: your grades might be affected, your stress level could fluctuate, etc.

With that said, many artists have written songs about change — whether it’s a new relationship, a new crush, a long-overdue break-up or the end of a relationship that you’re slowly coming to terms with. We’ve compiled a playlist of chill, “Fall” songs to get you through the change in season.  

It took everything in me not to include all of Taylor Swift’s “Folklore,” “Evermore” and “Red (Taylor’s Version)” since there are so many other artists with songs that just scream chill, fall vibes. 

In no particular order, here are 10 artists that have a strong presence in this Fall Playlist. 

Claire Rosinkranz

When she rose to fame in 2020 with her viral single “Backyard Boy,” Claire Rosinkranz became a force in the indie pop music scene. While her more recent songs have been more rock/pop oriented, her first two EPs are the definition of indie pop. “6 of a Billion,” her most recent EP is straight vibes. I listen to “Frankenstein,” “Pretty Little Things,” and “Hotel,” when I’m writing. They all provide instant serotonin, personally keeping me motivated. 

Shawn Mendes

I am a big fan of Shawn, but I swear this is an unbiased addition. His self-titled album “Shawn Mendes” screams Fall — even the album cover highlights beautiful autumn-colored flowers. The album also is a prime example of songs about change in a romantic relationship. “Because I Had You,” is about someone who broke up with their partner but realizes they wouldn’t find anyone better than them. “Fallin’ All in You,” puts falling in love to music. The album beautifully combines songs of a longing crush, coming to terms with a change in a relationship, and FALLing in love.

HAIM

My recent love of HAIM — thank you “Evermore” — led me to add my favorites of theirs to all of my playlists. “Kept Me Crying,” and “The Steps,” are two of my favorites, and they both fit the autumn vibes I went for in this playlist. They’re both about a recently failed relationship and the inability to let the other one go, but the music is bubbly with more energy than a slow, ballad-type song. It might give listeners something to relate to if they recently went through a breakup, or make them grateful that they’re finally over their ex.

Harry Styles

Harry Styles surprised listeners with a “warmer and more intimate,” sound on Harry’s House, and I, for one, am incredibly for it. “Keep Driving,” paints scenes of intimate moments, with music underneath the descriptions that seem to literally drive the song forward. It reminds me of a song I would play on an end-of-summer road trip with friends or my boyfriend. My favorite on the album, though, is “Love Of My Life.” Styles said it’s a love song to England and how his fame and success has brought him to America more than he would’ve thought. The music in it feels darker, but it’s a song about realizing how out of touch you are with what you once believed to be the “love of your life.”

Lorde

Two words: “Solar Power.” This album is definitely a tribute to Summer, but when you listen to some songs thinking about the end of Summer, it’s almost a calming reflection of the change in season. My favorites included in the Fall playlist are “Stoned at the Nail Salon,” “Mood Ring,” and “Dominoes.” Most of my musical friends who had been waiting for “Solar Power,” said “Dominoes” was one of the weaker songs on the album, but I couldn’t disagree more. It’s a subtle “f*** you” to an ex that seems to be acting like a completely different version of themselves than when you were together – a persona you know is just an act. The music is just guitar underneath Lorde’s conversational voice making a soothing listen. 

Lizzy McAlpine

“Give Me a Minute,” will forever be a legendary album. It was a perfect debut for McAlpine, and I think it will always be her fans’ favorite — it’s fantastic, but it also has sentimental value. “How Do I Tell You?” details a new relationship where you’re still thinking about your toxic ex, but trying to move forward. I also added “Same Boat,” because of the sense of longing for someone that you’re not sure feels the same way as you. It’s giving sitting in bed on a rainy day watching sad movies and overthinking everything.

Billie Eilish

This one might seem a little off, but many of Billie Eilish’s songs are totally fall-themed songs. “Billie Bossa Nova,” is such a smooth listen, I’d totally listen to it while drinking coffee in the park on a fall day. I even added “all the good girls go to hell,” and “Lost Cause,” which are both a little more upbeat than, say, “i love you,” or “Halley’s Comet.” The subtle jazzy vibe in both songs has autumn vibes, and they both bring a sense of empowerment that everyone needs a little more of. 

Maggie Rogers

Maggie Rogers’ new album, “Surrender,” shocked fans with a completely different vocal strength from Rogers. It was a change no one knew they needed. “Anywhere With You” encompasses the stress and hard times one might be going through, but they remember that they always have someone to be there for them. I also love the vibes in “Begging For Rain,” and “I’ve Got a Friend,” with jazzier undertones and perfect for walking through the park. Also, “I’ve Got a Friend,” will make you want to text your best friend and tell them you love them.

Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac’s rock style is 100% meant to be on this playlist. It’s more subtle than other rock bands during their time; almost like a mix of jazz and rock. “Say You Love Me,” “Dreams,” and “Never Going Back Again,” make appearances in the playlist, all different kinds of songs to my ear. “Say You Love Me” is a medium-tempo piece with a jazzy keyboard underneath, and “Never Going Back Again,” is soothing with just one guitar underneath. 

Taylor Swift

This one has to be obvious. While her most recent work is the definition of fall vibes, there’s a little sprinkle of cozy music in each of her other albums. From “1989,” we have “Out of the Woods,” and “You Are in Love,” two very different songs but both trying to figure out where you are in a relationship. “Jump Then Fall,” and “You All Over Me,” from “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” are also very different from each other, but I love the presence of the guitar in both. Finally, “Red (Taylor’s Version)” literally shaped the end of fall last year. From new bops, such as “I Bet You Think About Me,” (a strong country tune about realizing how much you’ve changed and your ex probably hasn’t), to spins on the classics — “All Too Well (Sad Girl Autumn Version)” is a stripped down version of the classic sob-song. 

Maya Gengozian is the editor-in-chief and co-campus correspondent at Her Campus NYU. She top-edits and fact-checks all chapter content and is the primary source for all writing and publishing. She is responsible for managing the editorial calendar and ensuring the writing team has everything they need to write Gen Z's favorite content. She also oversees all chapter social media. Professionally, Maya works as a staff writer for BroadwayWorld Cabaret. She previously worked as an editorial intern for The Story Exchange, an award-winning nonprofit media organization dedicated to elevating women’s voices. She has also written for College Magazine and Cooper Squared. At NYU, Maya is the president of West 4th Stage Company, NYU Steinhardt's primary performance club, and is on the communications committee for Women in Music NYU. She is a senior studying journalism and vocal performance: musical theater, with a minor in producing. When she's not writing or working on one of the many projects she has at a time, Maya consumes entertainment. She enjoys watching TV and movies (she’s probably re-watching “The Bold Type” or “The Good Wife” as you read this), going to live theater, and spending time with friends. She is an avid listener of “Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast,” “Crime Junkie,” and “Pop Culture Happy Hour.”