Autumn — the season of cold mornings and long walks among red leaves is upon us, and there is no better time to find some new music and switch up our playlists. Here are my recommendations for songs to listen to this season. From relaxing strolls with apple cider in hand to Halloween parties, this playlist covers it all:
I first heard this song performed by Black Pumas at the 2021 Grammys. It’s a perfect song to add to a dinner party playlist.
Every Shade of Blue: The Head and the Heart
This is a great road trip song. The strings make it feel cinematic, like it would definitely get played in a montage in a romantic comedy.
Although I typically associate the west coast with summertime, this song in particular reminds me of rainy October mornings and cloudy, gray skies.
This fall season, Hozier is back with the release of his highly anticipated single, Swan Upon Leda. The song is melancholy and a bit of a death march, but the words are beautiful and it’s a magical match for a fall day.
This is a great song for a study playlist as midterms are in full swing. It’s quiet, but beautiful and it sets the scene for a productive afternoon.
This song reminds me of friendship and laughter. I’d definitely recommend playing this in the car on the way to a pumpkin patch or any other fall festivities.
This song is cathartic and atmospheric. It’s a great soundtrack for a walk alone. I love how the music builds into something more and more complex as the song goes on.
The 1975’s new album has also been highly anticipated this year, and its release has provided even more music to enjoy this season. Part of the Band was the lead single for the album, and although it’s a bit of a departure from the band’s usual sound, the lyrics are piercing and the production is intriguing.
This song went viral on TikTok after Taylor Swift used it in the background of a montage video of her life while making her new album. The song itself is really beautiful, and definitely makes life feel like a movie.
I’d recommend this song for a weekend afternoon spent cooking or baking. It’s perfect for kitchen dance parties and lazy days.
This song is full of anger. It feels a bit like a hurricane or a thunderstorm, which we seem to be getting a lot of this season. I love how loud it is, and how unapologetic the lyrics are.
Maggie Rogers was inspired by The Walkmen on her recent album, so there are hints of the same ferocity and unapologetic nature in this song. It almost reminds me of old Coldplay, which is a sound I tend to gravitate towards more in the colder months.
Another great driving song. I listen to this song all year round, but it feels especially beautiful in the fall, when leaves are changing colors and falling to the ground.
The gloomy and mysterious melody of this song is reminiscent of Lana Del Rey in some ways. I love how atmospheric it is. The instruments and production set the tone of something dark. It makes me want to light some candles and curl up with a good book.
In my opinion, Noah Cyrus’s music is criminally underrated. She captures the air of Topanga Canyon so well in her music. This song is one of my favorites from her. I love how peaceful it sounds, and how the cutthroat lyrics contrast the production.
Norah Jones will always remind me of childhood, so I find her music incredibly nostalgic and comforting during this time of year. It’s the perfect coffee shop music, and it makes me want to wrap myself in thick sweaters.
This piano piece is my ultimate study song. I’ll let it play on a loop for hours. It’s incredibly peaceful, as the title indicates, and it makes focusing on schoolwork feel a bit more enjoyable.
Choreomania: Florence + the Machine
Florence + the Machine is a quintessential fall artist for me. All of Florence Welch’s lyrics and melodies seem to match my autumn moods perfectly. This song in particular is both a fun song to dance to and also the soundscape of what my fall days feel like.