10 Albums Perfect For Low-Key Autumn Vibes
This article was a submission from Kyler Edsitty. Find Kyler on Instagram at @kylercosmetics. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial Zine, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
To me, autumn is the perfect time to relax and take things slow after a frantic summer. As I transition into colder weather, this is the time for me to find a calmer routine and music is a huge factor in that. Listening to music that is more subtle and emotional just feels right on cloudy days when the leaves begin to fall. With these ten albums and playlist, your perfect fall soundtrack is complete.
“Turn Off The Lights” by Kim Petras
If you start celebrating spooky season early, this album is for you. Kim Petras’ ability to encapsulate Halloween into a pop album is unmatched and it feels as if the listener is in a campy ‘80s horror movie. This is the perfect fall album to play while carving pumpkins or at a Halloween party. Although I listen to this album year-round, there’s no better time to stream this album than during October.
“folklore” by Taylor Swift
This album is my favorite project from Taylor Swift. Something about the lyrics and production feels so comforting but so cold at the same time. It makes me want to get cozy with a cup of tea. Tracks like “august” and “my tears ricochet” have evoked such an emotional response from me that is unmatched. After this, I would also listen to “evermore,” the next album in this very satisfying era from Swift.
“Ultraviolence” by Lana Del Rey
This dark and grungy project from Lana is the perfect segue into colder weather. The heartbreaking songs and distressed production create a gloomy atmosphere that made me obsessed when the album initially dropped in 2014. Notable songs like “Brooklyn Baby” and “Pretty When You Cry” will always be a go-to on cold days when I want to feel secluded. Much of Lana’s other music has a similar effect but nothing will live up to hurt the “Ultraviolence” era brought.
“The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)”
In my opinion, this is the best soundtrack to play when you want to feel like the main character. Whether it’s by playing “Roslyn” by Bon Iver while walking around on a rainy day or by playing “Possibilities” by Lykke Li while lying in bed, this soundtrack sets the mood for the entire season. Although this soundtrack can be sad, there’s a warmth that I feel whenever I listen to it. Bonus points if you actually watch “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.”
“Pang” by Caroline Polachek
Caroline Polachek is honestly such an underrated pop artist to me. Her debut album “Pang” combines angelic vocals with production that feels futuristic. Polachek’s voice carries so much emotion in tracks like “Hit Me Where It Hurts” that it’s hard for the listener to not feel everything she does. With an interesting approach to pop music, this album makes me excited for whatever project she’s releasing next.
“Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish
I wasn’t too crazy about Eilish’s first album “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?” So, it was a huge surprise when I fell in love with “Happier Than Ever” because every track is written with such intention. While some songs like “Oxytocin” can be more aggressive, it is a very comforting album. It makes the listener reflect on their life and journey while launching introspection about their past mistakes. Eilish became immensely popular at a very young age so it’s amazing to see her grow as an artist.
“Forever and Ever” by SALES
SALES takes bedroom pop to another level with this album. As lo-fi music reaches its peak, SALES reinvents the genre by combining it with moving lyrics. “Rainy Day Loop” is evidently the best song to play as clouds roll in. SALES is a band that continues to create dreamy music that feels nostalgic and that makes me eagerly await their next release.
“Sling” by Clairo
Clairo is one of my favorite artists and I feel like this project was overshadowed by other summer releases. I’ve enjoyed her transition from dream pop music to more subtle creations. It’s always refreshing seeing an artist become more of themselves through their music. That being said, “Sling” strips Clairo down to her most vulnerable and sensitive state. Every track made me stop what I was doing and reflect on adolescence and the burden of growing out of it making this album an unexpected favorite.
“Soft Sounds from Another Planet” by Japanese Breakfast
Japanese Breakfast is an artist who seems to excel in every genre. Whether they make electronic or more muted music, I love everything they release. My favorite track “Till Death” centers on the struggles of making a relationship work and it makes the listener feel nothing but loss. This album can be emotionally overwhelming but that’s perfect during the moody season that autumn is.
“Songs of Leonard Cohen” by Leonard Cohen
I consider Cohen to be one of the best songwriters and this collection of songs proves that. I always listen to it when I’m feeling witchy and more spiritual. Something about his warm voice and soothing guitar in the background puts the listener in a trance. Folk songs like “Suzanne” and “So Long, Marianne” are very heavy and focus on Cohen’s tragic relationships. It’s always sad listening to artists who have passed because listeners can’t help but think about the fact that they can’t release more music.
What is your favorite fall album? Let us know in the comments below!