There is something about the fall season that makes certain music resonate so much more than it would during any other season. The trees changing color, the cool breeze and the lively apple orchards always make me want to listen to albums that feel quintessentially autumn to me.
Although there are many different directions one could go when thinking of music to listen to in autumn, what I tend to gravitate toward each fall season is folksy, contemplative and instrumental. As soon as I feel a slight chill in the air, I know it’s time to press play on these five albums.
“On Your Own Love Again” by Jessica Pratt
Jessica Pratt has one of the most unique and deeply effective vocals I have ever heard in folk music. Paired with ornate finger-picking guitar instrumentals and vulnerable lyrics, her delicate, almost tinny voice puts me in the mood to sit and get lost in a book, or stare outside at the falling rain and sink into my mind’s reflections. “On Your Own Love Again” is in my opinion the best iteration of Pratt’s talent and artistry, and a perfect record to embrace the atmosphere of autumn.
In the album, “Back, Baby,” one of Pratt’s most streamed songs on Spotify, has Pratt reflecting on a failed relationship she can never go back to but still longs for. It opens with a resigned delivery of the simple but devastating line “Sometimes, I pray for the rain.” Songs such as “Greycedes“ and “Game That I Play” are also great representations of this album’s intricate instrumentals and haunting lyricism. At only 31 minutes, this record is perfect to get lost in and to play over and over again this fall.
“The Turning Wheel” by Spellling
When I’m in the mood for something whimsical, esoteric and quintessentially fall, I spin the 2021 record “The Turning Wheel” by Spellling, a pen name for Chrystia Cabral. Sonically, the album captures the magic of a mystical fairytale, and her voice conveys a drama reminiscent of Kate Bush. With its sweeping orchestration, witchy lyrics and siren-like vocals, this record is especially ideal for October and the Halloween season.
On “Emperor with an Egg,” Spellling’s voice soars hypnotically over lush instrumentation. “Little Deer,” the album’s opening track, is a dramatic opening statement for the rest of the record, indicating the mysticism to come. “Tender lovers of the earth/Turn us back into the dirt,” she sings, pondering the mystery of what happens when we die. The song’s full instrumentation brings it to an extravagant close.
“I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning” by Bright Eyes
With its acoustic indie-folk instrumentals, this record absolutely captures the sonic vibe of autumn. What really makes it ideal for fall though, in my opinion, is the emotional depth and candid lyricism of “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning” by Bright Eyes. This album awakens a deep tenderness within me, not unlike the way the autumn leaves changing color can often bring a tear to my eye.
Through its devastatingly simple lyrics, “Lua” captures the desperation of a soul yearning for companionship: “‘Cause what is simple in the moonlight/By the morning never is,” the lead singer, Conor Oberst, sings shakily. The plucky, lively instrumentals of “First Day of My Life” and “Another Travelin’ Song” feel best suited for listening when surrounded by the vibrant colors of autumn. The range of emotions captured on this record is vast, and its acoustic melodies and intense songwriting make it a great addition to any autumn listening rotation.
“Harvest” by Neil Young
Apart from being one of his most lauded and acclaimed records, Neil Young’s 1972 “Harvest” is to me the kind of folk-rock that flawlessly captures the essence of a brisk autumn day. It has the perfect blend of steel guitar-dominated instrumentals and more pared-back acoustic moments, accentuating Young’s signature lyrical storytelling.
To me, autumn has always felt like a season of change; this sentiment is reflected in “A Man Needs a Maid,” a song that laments the turmoil of feeling bogged down by the anguish of uncertainty. Classics like “Heart of Gold” and “Old Man” capture the weariness that comes with undergoing constant life changes, while simultaneously conveying a sense of comfort in a life lived to the fullest.
“Punisher” by Phoebe Bridgers
I simply couldn’t make a short list of essential fall albums without including Phoebe Bridgers’ “Punisher.” Aside from its overall theme of skeletons and outer space, this record has a very autumn aesthetic, which is at times even spooky on blatantly existential tracks like “I Know the End,” “Chinese Satellite” and “Halloween.” Bridgers’ tender and whispery voice is at times even ghostly sounding, especially as she delivers candid lyrics like “What if I told you I feel like I know you/But we never met?” in the title track.
Songs like “Graceland Too” and “Garden Song” capture the more folksy aspects of the album’s fall vibe. To me, this record resonates the most on a crisp autumn night.
Even if fall isn’t your favorite season, there is so much good music to spin to really make it come to life. Although it can be bittersweet to say goodbye to summer, I can always count on these records to put me in an autumn state of mind.
