GUIDE TO FALL MUSIC

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WRITTEN BY: Savannah Arnold

I think we all know very well that fall is here, but that doesn’t mean that I’m going to shut up about it any time soon. There’s something about the cold air that reminds me that I’m alive again; it’s absolutely invigorating. This season has an entire aesthetic and mood to it; which I think warrants a dedication of music to autumn’s particular feel. Between feelings of coziness, to jazzy funky songs, to overwhelmingly atmospheric tunes, there’s an unlimited array of fall music to share. Here’s a guide, or a list, or whatever you want to call it, of my favorite autumn moods and appropriate music to go along with them.

COZY, COMFY

1. “Perth” by Bon Iver
   • a simple melody with nice, warm vocals evoking a nice, undemanding ambience.
2. “Autumn Sweater” by Yo La Tengo
   • a varied use of percussion elements, and a unique progression that casts a soft shadow and melancholic feel that is all too familiar.
3. “You Can Have It All” by Yo La Tengo
   • an extremely reassuring track with its repetitive vocal melody.
4. “Sweetness” by Yes
   • reassuring, comfortable, and yes, it’s cute and sweet.
5. Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
   • we love a good indie folk album.
6. All Things Must Pass by George Harrison
   • a CLASSIC of course, best Beatles solo project??? I think yes.
   • fav tracks; “All Things Must Pass,” “My Sweet Lord,” and “Wah-Wah.”
7. “Snowqueen of Texas” by The Mamas & The Papas
   • a cute, corny, and saccharine melody that gives off smiles all-around.
8. “Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect” by The Decemberists
   • lazy and memorable, just drift along with this indie track.

SAD

1. “Katy Song” by Red House Painters
   • for when you want 8 minutes and 23 seconds of overwhelming atmospheric despair that is so worth it.
2. “The Summer Ends” by American Football
   • everyone’s favorite emo band, an appropriate transitional tune; get lost in these aching instrumentals and vocals.
3. “Every Time the Sun Comes Up” by Sharon Van Etten
   • when you’re longing for something more and regretful; the introspection in this song will get you. Extremely soulful and genuine.
4. “Our Love” by Sharon Van Etten
   • sweet but sad. Drone-y but melodic.
5. “Nights In White Satin” by The Moody Blues
   • so dramatic, so theatrical, and so well done. A longing and lustful beautiful symphonic song.

ATMOSPHERIC/ANGST

1. Deathconciousness by Have a Nice Life
   • A almost physically crushing fusion of post-punk, shoegaze, and industrial.
   • Fav song; “Bloodhail.”
2. Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division
   • The iconic post-punk goth rock album we all know and love.
3. “Teen Age Riot” by Sonic Youth
   • youthful alt-rock anthem with a fittingly energetic riff to go along with it.
4. “Schizophrenia” by Sonic Youth
   • another brisk, animatedly familiar indie/alt-rock track.
5. Bauhaus – 1979-1983 Volume One by Bauhaus
   • the iconic goth rock band’s compilation album. Dark, spooky vibes all-around.

JAZZY, FUNKY

1. “Take Five” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
   • The catchy, blues-y saxophone, the piano, the slight, creeping percussion; an iconic jazz single perfect for the fall mood.
2. “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” by Roy Ayers Ubiquity
   • So funky so smooth so groovy you just have to love it.
3. “Windswept” by Johnny Jewel
   • a sinister, dark, and suspenseful distressing tune.
4. “Hot Dreams Absolutely Free Remix” by Timbre Timbre
   • a lush, jazzy remix with a soulful killer saxophone.
5. “Curtains!?” by Timbre Timbre
   • bold and filled with bravado, another suave and seductive track.

HONORABLE MENTION…

1. Every & All Twin Peaks Music
   • You get the atmosphere, you get the jazz, you get the ambiance, you get the spooky and the sinister; it is so fitting for this season. David Lynch, Angelo Badalamenti, and Julee Cruise out here still killing it.

Check out my comprehensive fall playlist here.