Unfortunately, summer is coming to an end: goodbye pool days, beach vacations and jean shorts. But, on the bright side, autumn is almost here! Hello, apple orchards, pumpkin patches and big, cozy sweaters. Whether you like autumn weather or not, there is something idyllic about walking across crunchy leaves on the sidewalk or getting cozy by the fire. And of course, you need autumn aesthetic music to be the soundtrack to these daily activities. So, here are some autumnal albums (and suggested songs on said albums) to get you excited for the season!
Autumn Albums to Listen To This Year
Preacher’s Daughter – Ethel Cain
*** Trigger Warning*** — themes of abuse, violence, sexual violence, cannibalism, death, grooming, and drug use
Preacher’s Daughter is the epitome of an autumn album. It is spooky, somber and gothic, perfect for walking down a sidewalk and stepping on red and orange leaves.
Don’t Forget Me – Maggie Rogers
Maggie Rogers is a queen of making cozy songs you could listen to on a gray and rainy afternoon. Her second album Don’t Forget Me is a perfect album to snuggle up with a hot tea and gaze out the window.
Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? – The Cranberries
Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? has the classic Cranberries alt-rock flare that gives you a pep in your step. “Dreams” especially is one to listen to if you want to feel like the main character in the quintessential New York City in the Fall rom-com.
Ctrl is an album about insecurity and learning to love yourself. And what is fall if not the time for new challenges and self-discovery? SZA does an amazing job making her album sound like how apples and cinnamon smell and the feeling of crunching leaves.
Red (Taylor’s Version)– Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift used to release all of her albums in October or November until Lover came out in 2019, so several of her albums could qualify as being autumn-coded. But none more so than Red (Taylor’s Version). It is all reds, oranges and yellows in an autumn forest.
Ungodly Hour is a perfect R&B album that has haunting instrumentals that go wonderfully with the classic R&B production. This is an autumn album to listen to if you are feeling powerful and energized!
Rumors is an album of intense emotion and drama, perfect for the changing seasons. Whether you need an emotional outlet or just love the folksy sound, this album is a must for fall.
“Awaken, My Love!” – Childish Gambino
“Awaken, My Love!” is again an album of change. After a two-year hiatus, Childish Gambino released this album in stark contrast to his previous works. A mix of psychedelic soul, R&B and funk worship makes a great atmosphere to sip apple cider accompanied by an autumn breeze.
Hozier is the king of sad folk songs that address social justice, oftentimes using religious motifs in his writing. If you are looking for something to listen to during an angsty autumn introspection session, his self-titled album is perfect.
Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
Norah Jones is an expert at making music that compels the listener to take a deep sigh and burrow into a heap of blankets, perhaps with a good book. Come Away With Me is a definite must for the upcoming season.
Dizzy Up the Girl – Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls are a prominent part of the “divorced dad rock” discography, a phrase devised recently for music that seems like a divorced dad would listen to. And it works. Dizzy Up the Girl is an emotional and compelling album with rich vocals and beautiful instrumentals. It feels like a cold and stormy night where you spend hours staring at the flames in the fireplace.
Process is the debut studio album of singer Sampha, who had previously released songs made in his bedroom. It is a devastating and beautiful album that tackles tragedy and the process of grief with a unique production that will have you wanting to be in your bed and wearing a big sweater with headphones blaring.
bury me at make out creek – Mitski
Mitski is the queen of sad girl music. Her devastating lyrics and haunting vocals transport the listener to a place of pain, but also one of understanding. Bury me at make out creek does not have the classic orange, red and yellow aesthetic that most fall albums do. It is more like walking around a dark, cold forest at midnight, with the uncomfortableness of being known.
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