The summer heat is quickly fading and leaves are beginning to litter AU’s campus. This sudden shift in seasons means it’s time for a shift in our listening habits too. With genres ranging from oldies, to classic alternative, to indie rock, to traditional folk, The Eagle is welcoming fall with a new, cozy soundtrack.
A brisk blast from the past
For those who enjoy music from way back when, this double-sided blend of soft rock leaves listeners nostalgic and yearning for time that has passed.
The Beatles start off our fall playlist, as some of their slower songs fitting a wistful walk in the fall. Tunes such as “Yesterday,” “In My Life,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Blackbird,” “I Will,” “Something,” “Golden Slumbers” and “ Let It Be” all fit into this niche category. These tracks possess a sweet yet solemn tone along with lyrics of longing and love, a recurring theme in all of the band’s albums.
It would not be autumn without one of Fleetwood Mac’s most impactful albums: Rumors. Records on this disc that scream fall include “Dreams,” “Never Going Back Again,” “The Chain,” “Gold Dust Woman” and, of course, the heart-wrenching “Silver Springs,” in which Stevie Nicks sings of her lingering heartbreak over bandmate Lindsey Buckingham. These songs were Fleetwood’s take on folk-rock, the genre being highlighted in the prominent use of banjo, innate twang in Nicks’ voice, and intense, soul-seeking lyrics.
Autumn’s “alternative” option
Classic alternative rock provides more of a sorrowful tone for listeners, perfect for when the weather begins to get especially chilly.
The Cure, first pick of this pack, is the British rock band known for their gothic vibe and observation of “the melancholy beauty of existence.” Robert Smith hypnotizes listeners with his vulnerable vocals while the band traces through themes of grief and loss. “Pictures of You” is a top pick with its twinkling bell sounds signifying a transition in the music all while adding to the listening experience.
“Back to the Old House” by The Smiths immediately comes to mind this season, along with, “Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now” which re-emerged and rose to popularity on TikTok during autumn a few years ago. These two tracks resonate with listeners for their rueful acoustic guitar and yearning messaging, warning listeners that time is a thief.
The Cranberries are another band that undoubtedly belong on fall playlists, specifically for their smash hit “Linger.” This song is the epitome of fall, with its string arrangements replicating the feeling of flying all while Dolores O’Riordan’s unique and haunting voice blends with the melody.
An indie-cator of fall
Time-traveling back to the 2010s, indie rock bands Arctic Monkeys and The Neighborhood both have a combined discography perfectly poignant for the season. Their cinematic sounds explore both loneliness and love and leave the interpretation up to the listener.
The Arctic Monkeys are best known for their romantic runes on the 2013 album AM, and every song on this record is fitted for fall. Some highlights include “Do I Wanna Know?,” “Arabella,” “No. 1 Party Anthem,” "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?,” and their most streamed song on Spotify: “I Wanna Be Yours.”
The Neighbourhood wrote a song especially dedicated to this time of year seemingly titled “Sweater Weather.” While this common phrase refers to when the weather fails to reach above the 50 degree mark, the song proposes a solution to this problem: staying warm with a loved one.
Fun, folk-y and fresh
It would not be autumn without the tradition of folk music, known for its layering of instruments and thoughtful lyricism.
Taylor Swift, a prolific singer who has danced across genres for years, took a stab at folk in 2020 and 2021 with her two sister albums, folklore and evermore. These two pieces include songs that outright describe the looming autumn season while provoking a reminiscing of people and places past. “cardigan,” “august” and “the lakes” from folklore and “willow,” “'tis the damn season” and “ivy” from evermore are a few tracks featured here, but both albums are absolutely worth listening to in full.
To close out this set, Noah Kahan’s Stick Season trilogy deserves to be highlighted. Each contains the message of losing yourself to find yourself in the end, similar to the leaves falling and dying each year just to grow back even greener. “Stick Season,” “Everywhere, Everything,” “The View Between Villages,” “Dial Drunk (with Post Malone)” and “Northern Attitude (with Hozier)” are perfect picks for this playlist.
For more traditional folk music, this article provides a deeper glimpse into the genre as well as more recommendations.
Along with these featured songs, this playlist includes a multitude of other tracks that “feel like fall.” Stay warm and enjoy!
This article was edited by Alia Messina, Jessica Ackerman, and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting and Emma Brown.
